Diagnostic Considerations

These include the following:

Muscle strain
Degenerative joint disease
Biceps femoris tendinitis
Popliteus tendinitis
Referred pain from lumbar disc herniation
Lateral meniscus tear
Lateral collateral ligament injury
Peroneal nerve injury
Patellofemoral syndrome
Synovial sarcoma ^[24]

Differential Diagnoses

Hamstring Strain
Knee Osteochondritis Dissecans
Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Radiating radicular pain from L3 to L5 nerve roots
Medial Collateral and Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
Meniscal Injury
Overuse Injury
Patellofemoral Syndrome
Peroneal Mononeuropathy
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Myofascial Pain
Trochanteric Bursitis

Workup

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Media Gallery

In this 27-year-old female marathon runner with anterolateral pain superior to the joint line, a coronal fast spin-echo T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan with fat suppression demonstrates edema between the iliotibial band and the lateral femoral condyle (arrow). The edema's location is consistent with a clinical diagnosis of iliotibial band syndrome.
Iliotibial band at the lateral femoral condyle, with the posterior fibers denoted.
Iliotibial band noted prominently along the lateral thigh.
Lateral hip stabilizers.
The Thomas test can be used to evaluate restriction in the iliotibial band and hip flexors.
The Ober test.
This illustration demonstrates active stretching of the iliotibial band (ITB). The athlete stands a comfortable distance from a wall and, with the contralateral knee extended, leans the proximal shoulder against the wall to stretch the ipsilateral ITB.
This illustration demonstrates iliotibial band syndrome stretching performed in a side-lying position.

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Author

John M Martinez, MD Staff Physician, Kaiser Permanente

John M Martinez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Michael T Andary, MD, MS Professor, Residency Program Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Stephen Kishner, MD, MHA Professor of Clinical Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program Director, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans

Stephen Kishner, MD, MHA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD Medical Director, Senior Products, Central North Region, Humana, Inc

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert E Windsor, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, FAAPM President and Director, Georgia Pain Physicians, PC; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Emory University School of Medicine

Robert E Windsor, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, FAAPM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, International Association for the Study of Pain, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Kenneth Honsik, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Kaiser Permanente

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.