Risk factors and impairments in iliotibial band friction syndrome among basketball players

Background: Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is commonly seen in sport players overloading knee joint in adolescents as knee is engaged in almost all sports activities. Basketball involves activities such as running and jumping where there are repetitive knee flexion and extension, iliotibial band repetitively shifts forward and backward which causes friction and inflammation of the iliotibial band. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to study risk factors and impairment in ITBFS among basketball players. Methodology: Out of 60, 12 basketball players were medically diagnosed with ITBFS within age group of 12–23 years, including both males and females who practiced at least 30 min a day without any recent surgery or fracture of lower limb. The consent form was taken, and the procedure was explained. Each player was subjected to therapist administered questionnaire with details of risk factors namely; age, gender, body mass index, hours and years of practice, training sessions followed by special test for knee related to iliotibial band syndrome. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was filled to assess the level of difficulty in activities due to knee pain. Results: In this study, ITBFS in basketball players was 16.66% with LEFS score of mean 62 indicating mild to moderate disability. Conclusion: Training errors such as irregular stretching, warm up and cool down, change in intensity of training, running on concrete surface are some of the risk factors of ITBFS. Mild to moderate disability was found on LEFS due to ITBFS.