Lateral Knee / Hip Pain?

You may have heard of a band running down the lateral (outside) aspect of your thigh, and if anyone has gotten you to roll this part of your thigh I am sure you had a few choice words. This band is anatomically known as the “Iliotibial Tract” – named after the fascia’s origin, on the anterior superior iliac spine (hip bone), and its insertion on the lateral aspect of the tibia (one of the shin bones).

This visualization of the IT Band’s origin and insertion can be quite misleading. The IT Band itself doesn’t attach to these bones – an uncommonly known fact is that the IT Band is actually just the thickened part of what is called the “Fascia Latae”. Anatomically, the fascia latae is a fascia encapsulating the musculature of the entire thigh (quadriceps, hamstrings, and adductors), extending down into the leg at the tibia and fibula (shin bones).

The IT band can be a problem area causing pain or discomfort at the lateral aspect of the hip or even the knee. For example, an individual may feel that they have lateral knee pain, and blame their knee as being the problem area. However, it’s possible that the root issue is actually a tight IT band all the way up at the hip – which can cause compression and/or inflammation at that lateral aspect of the knee.

Written By: Kallie Davis RKIN, MSc (Candidate), BScH