Deadbeat Diagnosis: Chasing The Pain
Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is typically regarded as an overuse injury common in runners and cyclists
. Lately, this controversial condition has gained greater attention due to recent articles that include my IT-Band Friction Fallacy?, Mark Charrettes Lateral Knee Pain and Orthotic Support, and Whitney Lowes New Perspectives on ITB Friction Syndrome. When it comes down to it, Myoskeletal bodywork practices are the only true solution to the puzzle.
Although many researchers and clinicians are convinced that the patho-anatomy of iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBF) is clearly understood, the jury is still out on the exact cause(s) of this lateral knee pain condition. Exclusively following conventional wisdom may often point good clinicians to the wrong therapeutic path. The following example clearly reveals how chasing the pain led physicians into a linear treatment protocol resulting in months of unwarranted pain and unnecessary medical interventions.
Case Study
Recently a 44-year-old orthopedist, who for our purposes will be called Dr. Smith, was sent to me complaining of eight months of debilitating, self-diagnosed, IT-band friction pain. During his history intake, he admitted suffering sporadic foot, hip and low back soreness but regarded these issues as unrelated. A self-described weekend-warrior, Dr. Smiths knee pain flared with excessive running or cycling. Both he and his staff (a physical therapist and physiatrist) had carefully scrutinized the painful knee and arrived at a undivided diagnosis of ITBF based on results from Obers Test (determines the tightness of the ITB), Rennes test (specifies the area of pain during weight bearing) and Nobles test (identifies the area of pain when the leg is flexed at a certain angle). To further strengthen their diagnosis, MRI studies demonstrated a thickened iliotibial band over the lateral femoral epicondyle. The summation: diagnosis confirmed as ITBF - case closed.
Dr. Smith related that his groups initial treatment goals focused on relieving the (supposed) inflammation via ice treatments and anti-inflammatory medications followed by a series of physical therapy sessions. Regrettably, the series of physical therapy slowly evolved into months of heartbreaking disappointment. Standard treatment modalities (stretching, ultrasound, electrical stim, cross-fiber frictioning and trigger point work) brought little relief. Discouraged with the lack of progress, Dr. Smith and his physiatrist partner began a more aggressive approach with corticosteroid and proliferation injections. Although many of their ITBF patients responded positively to this treatment protocol, Dr. Smith did not. Desperate to get back to his biking and running regime, Smith decided to subit to a surgical release of the ITB at the posterior 2 cm where it passes over the lateral epicondyle, but still no relief. So how did eight months of aggressive treatment lead to abysmal failure? My Myoskeletal alignment home study techniques will reveal the answer.
Conventional Wisdom
ITBF is usually thought to be a multi-factorial, non-traumatic, overuse condition in which the distal aspect of the iliotibial band rubs over the lateral femoral epicondyle during repetitive knee flexion and extension movements. This ultimately leads to irritation of the iliotibial band, bursa and lateral synovial recess. In this popular theoretical model, the deep posterior ITB fibers are more exposed to back-and-forth rubbing on the knees epicondyle. Numerous studies have described a dynamic impingement zone at approximately 30 degrees of knee flexion where the ITB is subject to microfiber tearing and associated inflammation.
Therapists who abide by this conventional wisdom often search for the sore spots around the condyle and cross-fiber friction the affected tissue in an effort to break down weak-linked adhesions, enhance fibroblastic activity and encourage tissue remodeling. Follow-up treatments typically include elbow fascia-mashing and manual ITB stretching routines. All of these approaches can be effective if ITB fibers truly are damaged.
Erik Dalton, Ph.D., Certified Advanced Rolfer, founded the Freedom From Pain Institute and created Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques to share his passion for massage, Rolfing, and manipulative osteopathy. Visit the Erik Dalton website for information on workshops, conferences, and CE home study courses.
Read More ~
http://erikdalton.com/media/published-articles/chasing-the-pain/
by: Erik Dalton
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