The connection between IT band syndrome and hip pain

Connective tissue helps to provide support and structure for the organs and soft tissue throughout your body. There’s one band of connective tissue that runs along your leg, called the iliotibial band, that may be the source of your hip pain.

The iliotibial band, commonly referred to as the IT band, is connective tissue that starts on the outside of your hip, runs down your leg, and stops on the outside of your shinbone just below your knee joint. If the IT band is overused, it can cause an injury that leads to hip pain.

How IT band syndrome is linked to hip pain

The IT band works to support your outer knee joint by collaborating with your outer thigh muscles during movement while helping to stabilize and move your hip. When there’s an issue with the IT band, you can also have an issue in your hip.

IT band syndrome refers to an overuse injury. It develops when the connective tissue becomes irritated or tight, leading to pain and swelling in your hip. Hip pain that’s linked to the injury often worsens during movement. It can also spread from the thigh to the hip. 

Anyone can develop IT band syndrome; however, it’s more prevalent among athletes, especially distance runners. The symptoms occur when the band rubs against the greater trochanteric, which is a bony structure located at the top of the thighbone that makes up the most prominent part of the hip.

Besides hip pain, IT band syndrome can cause other symptoms, including:

• Discoloration on the outside of the knee
• A clicking sound when you extend or bend your leg
• Swelling

Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy can help alleviate IT band hip pain

IT band syndrome can cause hip pain that interferes with your ability to carry out everyday tasks, such as climbing the stairs in your house or cleaning up clutter. Physical therapy is an effective, noninvasive option for alleviating hip pain and the reduced mobility that may come with it.

At Peak Performance, we can guide you through stretches and strengthening exercises that can alleviate the symptoms of IT band syndrome, including hip pain, while also improving the overall quality of the affected area.

Call us or request an appointment today to alleviate hip pain caused by IT band syndrome.