ITBS on the outside of the knee...ouch.

I struggled with ITBS between seasons. For me, it took 10 visits to physical therapy, 3 weeks no running (roadbike rides and pool running) and stretching/foam rolling three times a day. I don't know how severe my ITBS was in comparison, but when i originally visited my doctor to get referals for PT he strongly opposed cortizone shots. Id say take a limited time off and go by feel. Definitly pick up one of these (http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2930541&cp=694015&sr=1&origkw=foam+roller&kw=foam+roller&parentPage=search&searchId=27890623083), and make sure to keep surrounding muscles loose (ie. hamstrings, quads, calves, and even your lower back muscles). Most likely some time off and a slow prgression back into training will do the trick.

Good luck

I had the same problem. My right leg was shorter than my left that's why the ITB was becoming sore. I got fitted with orthodics and the problem cleared up.

I had ITBS for about 18 months, tried orthotics, talked to sports docs, blah, blah, blah. The solution for me was to stop running completely for about 6 weeks and work on leg strength and flexibility three to four days a week. Squats, lunges, extensions, foam roller, stretching, etc. Following that, I was like new again, and haven't had the problem for eleven years now.

Don't give up yet! Good luck.

Try ART, it has worked for many runners on my teamthat PT has not worked for.

Thanks for all the advice. I've never even heard of ART, what is it?

Active Release Therapy-google it and you'll find the website. My teammates swear by it.

common wrote:

I had ITBS for about 18 months, tried orthotics, talked to sports docs, blah, blah, blah. The solution for me was to stop running completely for about 6 weeks and work on leg strength and flexibility three to four days a week. Squats, lunges, extensions, foam roller, stretching, etc. Following that, I was like new again, and haven't had the problem for eleven years now.

Don't give up yet! Good luck.

This is almost exactly what happened to me. No running for 8 weeks, after about 4 weeks I started doing a lot of strength work for my legs and foam rolling whenever I had some free time. I thought it'd never be over, but it cleared up pretty quickly after that.

Might need to strengthen the glut medius on the affected side - test to see if its weak by standing on that leg and raising the other leg until the thigh is parallel to the ground. If you find that you are collapsing inwards or that your hip is sinking on the leg you are raising then you are too weak.

Also found that the problem was instantly dramatically improved by switching to very minimal racing flats for nearly all running (hesitate to say that as this seems to be the magic cure all to all injuries discussed on this site)