Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome is presented as controversial because the older friction model is anatomically and evidentially questionable. The precise biological cause of iliotibial band pain remains unresolved in the article. The article rejects the older view that the iliotibial band sliding over the lateral knee is the dominant cause of symptoms. The article presents compression or impingement of tissues near the iliotibial band as a more plausible pain mechanism than friction. Treatment for iliotibial band syndrome should prioritize changing movement and tissue loading over stretching or rolling the band.