What are the symptoms of IT band syndrome, and where exactly does it hurt?

Where it hurts

The pain sits on the outside of the knee, a little above the joint line, over the lateral femoral epicondyle, the bony knob you can feel there. Pressing this spot is often tender, especially with the knee slightly bent. Pain can spread up the outer thigh or down towards the top of the shin.

How it behaves

• Comes on during activity, often after a predictable time or distance
• Worse running downhill, on stairs going down, or on long rides
• Eases with rest but returns quickly when you restart
• Some people feel a rubbing or snapping sensation at the outer knee
• Walking with a straight leg can feel easier than with a normal bend
• In more irritated cases, it aches even when walking or at rest

Signs that point to something else

Outer knee pain has other causes, including a lateral meniscus tear, arthritis, a ligament injury, popliteus tendon pain and pain referred from the hip or back. Be more suspicious of these if:

• The pain started with a twist or an injury
• The knee swells, locks, catches or gives way
• The pain is right on the joint line rather than above it
• There is numbness or tingling, or back pain

When to have it assessed in Doha

If the pain does not improve after six to eight weeks of modifying training, if it is present at rest, or any warning signs are present, book an assessment. At Aman Hospital Dr. Gelber examines the outer knee, hip strength and control, and the meniscus and ligaments, and uses imaging only when the diagnosis is uncertain.