Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) - Part 3

Hip Muscles Directly Affect Knee Function

Actions of the hip directly affect knee function; in fact, if these relationships are not considered, the practitioner will have little hope of resolving a great percentage of chronic knee problems such as Iliotibial band syndrome.

Muscles involved in hip flexion:

· Adductor Longus and brevis

· Gluteus minimus and medius (front section)

· Psoas and Iliacus Tightness in the psoas muscle often occurs from hyperextension of the low back (lumbar spine).

· Rectus femoris (Quadricep)

o This is the only quadriceps muscle that crosses both the hip and knee joint.

· Tensor fasciae latae

Muscles involved in hip extension:

· Adductor Magnus

· Hamstrings (Biceps femoris (long head), Semimembranosis, Semitendinosis

· Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus medius (posterior section)

Muscles involved in hip abduction:

· Gemellii

· Gluteus minimus and medius

· Obturators

· Pelvic Deltoid muscle –

· The tensor fasciae latae and gluteus maximus (superficial layers) insert into the Iliotibital band. These muscles work in concert to abduct the hip. If you have a problem with any of these muscles it will affect ITB function.

· Piriformis

· Sartorius

Muscles involved in hip adduction:

· Adductors (brevis, longus, magnus)

· Bicep femoris (long head of this hamstring muscle)

· Gluteus Maximus

· Gracilis

· Iliacus

· Pectineus

· Psoas

Muscles involved in internal hip rotation:

· Gluteus Medius/Minimus

· Tensor Fascia Latae

Muscles involved in external hip rotation:

· Gemelli and Obturator muscles

· Besides their rotational function these muscles help to decompress the hip joint. Some authors refer to this as a hammock effect.

· Gluteus Maximus

· Piriformis

· Quadratus Femoris

In part four of Resolving ITBS, we will cover treatment and exercise.

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