External Snapping Hip Syndrome: The Iliotibial Band
The iliotibial band is a thick band of fibrous tissue on the outside of the thigh that extends from the hip to just below the knee. (illustration here)
Its function is to assist hip abductors stabilize the pelvis from lateral movement.
Signs and Symptoms
- Lateral hip pain
What causes external snapping hip syndrome?
- Actue injury
- Hip abductor weakness
- Can be associated with other disorders which lead to an altered gait including:
- -lumbosacral disease, osteoarthritis of the hip and overuse
Conservative Treatment
- Includes a stretching program, physical therapy and steroid injections
Surgical Treatment: Hip Arthroscopy
- Release of the iliotibial band (video stream)
- Debridement of the trochanteric bursa (arthroscopic picture)