Considering ITB Surgery

[Gooner101]

Hey Hubbers,

 

Is there anyone with positive feedback on ITB surgery?

 

I am considering going under the knife as a last resort, I have tried everything from physio to biokineticists, stretching, foam rollers, strapping and I have spent a good fortune on all of these to try and resolve the issue.. Almost 2 years later and it's only at it's worst.

I even stopped running for 4 months, first time back on the road last week and I barely made 2km.

I am back at physio and I see no light at the end of the tunnel.

 

I also have to consider that the 94.7 is coming up in just over 4 months.

 

I am beyond frustrated and would love to run and cycle without pain again.

I had a goal to complete the Ironman 70.3 but running 21km is seriously holding me back on my bucket list.

[SwissVan]

Been quite a lot of discussion on it here's some links, the search function works

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/78788-itb-release-surgery/page__hl__itb

 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/119368-itb-surgery/page__hl__itb

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/125132-itb-problem-after-road-running-but-no-problem-on-the-treadmill/page__hl__itb

 

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/121363-itb-pain/page__hl__itb

[lyslexic]

have you tried lyno?

[Gooner101]

have you tried lyno?

I haven't tried the lyno therapy yet (But I have read up on it), I have tried similar methods with the bio (At R400 a session it got quite expensive), with no results.

So as you can imagine, I am a little frustrated at the amount of money spent and not seeing any improvement.

[Sharkie 2]

What does the surgery entail?

[quintonb]

I would say its an option.

A friend of mine had hers done, she is a physio in the Joburg Area and is very happy.

She says you should double that recovery time.

She took 3 months off from doing anything. Didn't even swim.

She has just run her 5th Comrades and did the full Iron man last year.

[ShawnMano]

I suffer with itb and running was my worst. I tried running barefoot and i now run 15km

a day with no pain.

I have a good streching regemant with a foam roller as well. It took a while to get used to but no regrets.

try it.

[Gooner101]

What does the surgery entail?

As far as I know, Surgery involves removing the bursa and lengthening the ITB just enough so that the friction is reduced when the knee is bent and straightened. I stand to be corrected?

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

As far as I know, Surgery involves removing the bursa and lengthening the ITB just enough so that the friction is reduced when the knee is bent and straightened. I stand to be corrected?

 

What are the syptoms you experience and please try and be detailed in the explanation?

[grego12]

I had persistent problems with ITB for 3 years. I was against surgery and tried all therapies, stretches but it kept coming back. I had an excellent specialist knee/hip doctor who finally recommended the surgery. It was a one day hospital booking. My problem never came back. If I recall my doctors comments he said that the band itself doesn’t really stretch much so if maintenance is not working, surgery is the only option. The surgery cuts out a small triangle out from the itb. This effectively lengthens it but also weakens it initially. This is why its important not to overcook the itb too soon over surgery. When the scar tissue grows back after 6 weeks, it is stronger than the original. He said the scar tissue is much more flexible than the original itb, so it helps to create stretch and flexibility in the future. I’d fully recommend it. Just find a good surgeon.

[quintonb]

As far as I know, Surgery involves removing the bursa and lengthening the ITB just enough so that the friction is reduced when the knee is bent and straightened. I stand to be corrected?

Thats not what I understand.

They cut the ITB in "Half" so that one half stays infront of the bone and the other at the back of the bone.

The reason the ITB gets sore is because it rubs back and forth over the bone and it gets inflamed and thats where the pain comes from.

By cutting the ITB it never rub over the bone, so no more inflimation.

 

Thats just my Laymans understanding of it. I am be wrong.

[Gooner101]

Thats not what I understand.

They cut the ITB in "Half" so that one half stays infront of the bone and the other at the back of the bone.

The reason the ITB gets sore is because it rubs back and forth over the bone and it gets inflamed and thats where the pain comes from.

By cutting the ITB it never rub over the bone, so no more inflimation.

 

Thats just my Laymans understanding of it. I am be wrong.

As grego12 mentioned above, i think that could be a pretty accurate description of what they do. It effectively does lengthen the ITB which in turn prevents the rubbin/friction on the bone (As you described it)

[Gooner101]

I had persistent problems with ITB for 3 years. I was against surgery and tried all therapies, stretches but it kept coming back. I had an excellent specialist knee/hip doctor who finally recommended the surgery. It was a one day hospital booking. My problem never came back. If I recall my doctors comments he said that the band itself doesn’t really stretch much so if maintenance is not working, surgery is the only option. The surgery cuts out a small triangle out from the itb. This effectively lengthens it but also weakens it initially. This is why its important not to overcook the itb too soon over surgery. When the scar tissue grows back after 6 weeks, it is stronger than the original. He said the scar tissue is much more flexible than the original itb, so it helps to create stretch and flexibility in the future. I’d fully recommend it. Just find a good surgeon.

Thanks Grego, good to see positive feedback on the surgery

What was your recovery time? How soon could you start any light exercise? I am worried about not being able to get back into training for the 94.7..

[grego12]

Thanks Grego, good to see positive feedback on the surgery

What was your recovery time? How soon could you start any light exercise? I am worried about not being able to get back into training for the 94.7..

i can't emphasise how minor this surgery really was (unless of course there are complications which I guess can always occur)......best to check with your doctor, but I recall it was six weeks off (which seems to be the period for scar tissue to form in general). I started light spinning a few weeks after and road biking probably after 5 or 6 weeks

[NOFX]

Have you been to the Chiro. I had knee problems, I went to the Bio, physio and and surgery.....no better.

 

I went to the Chiro, and after two week.....my knee was 100%

 

Just a suggestion.

[Gooner101]

i can't emphasise how minor this surgery really was (unless of course there are complications which I guess can always occur)......best to check with your doctor, but I recall it was six weeks off (which seems to be the period for scar tissue to form in general). I started light spinning a few weeks after and road biking probably after 5 or 6 weeks

That is awesome! Thanks for your feedback