Iliotibial band syndrome in cyclists

Abstract

Iliotibial band syndrome is an overuse injury caused by repetitive friction of the iliotibial band across the lateral femoral epicondyle. Once considered an injury indigenous to runners, it is now frequently being seen in cyclists. The purpose of this paper is to identify iliotibial band syndrome as a significant problem in cyclists and to propose both operative and nonoperative measures for treating cyclists. Nonoperative measures specific to cyclists consist of bicycle adjustments and training modifications. These are adjunctive therapies to stretching, icing, rest, and oral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. For cyclists requiring operative intervention, a new surgical technique for excising or releasing the distal iliotibial band is presented. This technique, used by the senior author (JCH) since 1984, involves excision of an elliptical piece of the distal posterior band off the lateral femoral epicondyle.