ITB Release surgery

[Punt]

...So eventually I opted for the op because everyone else said it's an almost surefire way to sort it out without any known consequences.

 

 

See this makes me worry about doctors and physios. When I had ITB, my physio told me to avoid surgery AT ALL COSTS, because it can have serious complications like losing stability in your lower leg making running and cycling impossible.

 

Guess it goes to show there's no real right or wrong way. Just have to do what you think will work for you and hope for the best. Hope yours comes right quickly!

[Arkadion]

Thanks Punt

 

I heard the the ITB op years ago involved cutting the muscle completely, it's responsible for keeping your balance when standing upright and giving the other muscles a rest. Nowadays it's small cuts into the muscle to help lengthen it. It's hardly invasive and my doc said it's not a serious op and you shouldn't be worried about side effects besides a clicking near the knee which will subside after a few months (Which I noticed yesterday )

 

I dunno, if someone decides to go for the op I reckon head to a respectable doctor and do some research

 

The reason I have so want to give so much input on this topic is to help anyone else who might be going through it, it really is a b#tch and ruins your mood when the only thing you look forward to on weekends is riding/running !

[LeTurbo]

My contrary view, as usual.

 

I got ITB towards the end of last season - pushing too far too soon by entering a few races before I was ready. Also bike set-up wasn't great and I rode too hard a gear.

 

The physio also recommended avoiding the op if possible, and said stretching is unlikely to have any effect. She said it's important to use the leg, but in a disciplined rehabilitation.

 

I've rested this whole winter, only taking easy rides and building distance up gently from 10km to about 60 per weekend, resting at robots, using very easy gears and averaging 20km/h or so. It seems to have disappeared - I did 90km on Sunday and all was fine. Touch wood. I guess it depends how soon you catch it, and not expecting it to go away by your race next weekend.

[Face Plant]

the big thing to remember here is that there are several things that could lead to ITBS so in a nutshell have a proper diagnosis made and make a decision from there as to what treatment you going to follow, as SwissVan has mentioned there are differential diagnosises that could make you think its ITB but if its not treated correctly it will never get better,

 

there are several "triggers" that could cause ITB

 

Leg length differences

Road camber - running on a slope for a long time

Foot structure

Training intensity errors - increasing mileage or intensity too fast

Muscle imbalances - particularly quads versus hamstrings

cleat positioning and saddle height

 

Find the cause, make a decision on treatment and follow the recovery and hopefully you will be back doing your thing sooner than later

[Arkadion]

Well I went for my first baby ride yesterday, leg was feeling much better when I initially got on the bike, rode for about 5kms, though I had a small nagging pain that didn't turn into anything serious, but the doc says I do need to work it and keep it light in order to gain a full recovery sooner

 

Felt good to be back on the bike but I'm missing those longer rides ! Need to be patient

[Arkadion]

HOOORAY !

 

Did 10kms this morning, the small pain didn't get any worse, I probably could have gone a bit further but I don't wanna over do it I can feel the strength coming back but I'm still in Granny gear

[Arkadion]

And another 16/17 kms this morning, leg is feeling strong!! I can actually push a bit with it, gave it some horns this morning and was averaging 17-20 km/h on some slight hills, sooooo happy :D

[AdrianDJ]

Nice Akadion - good to hear! im back at full throttle with cycling! legs are feeling great! very excited for lourensford classic this weekend!

 

Need to start picking up some running now.

[Arkadion]

Yeah I'm sooo happy to be back, I did a 20km at Northern Farms on Sat and another 24kms on Sunday, every day it just feels better and better, I can officially say the op worked for me

 

Good to hear you'll be back to running soon as well Canerat !

[Arkadion]

Long time since I've posted on this thread, needed to go for the op again, this time on my right leg which started giving me ITB hassles about a month ago. Op was on Friday and I'm already walking stairs without the need for a railing, leg is still a bit stiff but I'm going to attempt a baby ride toward the end of the week

 

Left leg has been hassle free since my op in Sep 2010.

[Nicola13]

I just saw this post and now read each one...

 

So here is my story:

 

I never used to run much, cycled only on weekends until last year August.

Got an entry for Sani2C and decided to train harder. I started a training program which included runs 3 days per week and cycling the other days. By the end of September i was on the treadmill one night in the gym and did a whole exercise afterwards with no pain. When i woke up that next morning, i could barely walk, let alone get up or down the stairs.

 

Started physio, included treatment and rehabilitation for about three months of which i only still cycled about one and then stopped all training completely. Needless to say, it got a bit better but didn't go away completely. Eventually went for a sonar which didn't pick up anything on the ITB... Confused???? because then what is it?

 

Left the physio and just didn't run at all. Got back into cycling slowly in January and things went really well. Did Sani and guess what... on day 1 of Sani it acted up again(my guess - carrying that black crate all the way to the truck) So had it strapped by local physio and decided to get help after Sani.

 

So now i've been to a podiatrist, bought new running shoes after finding out that my left leg is 6mm shorter than the right and severe pronation on the left... got inner soles for the new shoes and went running for the first time in months this morning... Couldn't even do 2.5km when it hurt so bad i actually felt like crying! Struggling to walk at work now and steps are a horror! Especially down.

 

I really need help now, i've tried ice, heat, stretching, i use my foam roller each time i get off the bike, do gym workouts to improve muscle strength on my legs and lower back as well as glutes.

 

I am pretty much crying in my hands from frustration as this has now cost me close to R10 000 and NO IMPROVEMENT!

 

I'm not even sure that it is in fact my ITB... As the sonar couldn't pick up swelling or anything... Both physios are convinced it is the ITB...

 

Please give some thoughts or Doctors names in Pretoria or JHB that you would recommend.

 

The ITB acts up seriously when i run, can't even do 2.5km and come to complete halt from pain. Cycling it only acts up on very long rides and lots of hills or standing.

[Agteros]

I just saw this post and now read each one...

 

So here is my story:

 

I never used to run much, cycled only on weekends until last year August.

Got an entry for Sani2C and decided to train harder. I started a training program which included runs 3 days per week and cycling the other days. By the end of September i was on the treadmill one night in the gym and did a whole exercise afterwards with no pain. When i woke up that next morning, i could barely walk, let alone get up or down the stairs.

 

Started physio, included treatment and rehabilitation for about three months of which i only still cycled about one and then stopped all training completely. Needless to say, it got a bit better but didn't go away completely. Eventually went for a sonar which didn't pick up anything on the ITB... Confused???? because then what is it?

 

Left the physio and just didn't run at all. Got back into cycling slowly in January and things went really well. Did Sani and guess what... on day 1 of Sani it acted up again(my guess - carrying that black crate all the way to the truck) So had it strapped by local physio and decided to get help after Sani.

 

So now i've been to a podiatrist, bought new running shoes after finding out that my left leg is 6mm shorter than the right and severe pronation on the left... got inner soles for the new shoes and went running for the first time in months this morning... Couldn't even do 2.5km when it hurt so bad i actually felt like crying! Struggling to walk at work now and steps are a horror! Especially down.

 

I really need help now, i've tried ice, heat, stretching, i use my foam roller each time i get off the bike, do gym workouts to improve muscle strength on my legs and lower back as well as glutes.

 

I am pretty much crying in my hands from frustration as this has now cost me close to R10 000 and NO IMPROVEMENT!

 

I'm not even sure that it is in fact my ITB... As the sonar couldn't pick up swelling or anything... Both physios are convinced it is the ITB...

 

Please give some thoughts or Doctors names in Pretoria or JHB that you would recommend.

 

The ITB acts up seriously when i run, can't even do 2.5km and come to complete halt from pain. Cycling it only acts up on very long rides and lots of hills or standing.

Give one more bio a chance.. Contact Mari Naude at Technogym (cyclelab). Give me a shout for more details.

[krl747]

@Nicola13, pay Dr. Kobus Schalekamp in Charles Street a visit. He is a Chiropractor and semi professional cyclist. He is also the Chiropractor for the UJ athletics team. He fixed mine and I have not had trouble again.

 

It could be your back that is not aligned

Edited June 5, 2012 by krl747

[Nicola13]

Thanks everyone, i will give Kobus a try, I actually know a couple of triathletes that go to him.

[#Scott2luvit]

Hi all

 

I have been struggling with a ITB problem for 4 months now, have not been able to cycle and struggling to walk up and down stairs.

I have been to a load of physios and specialists, I am seeing Jeroen this week to get a final opinion and then I am considering the operation.

 

I would like to know who would be a good doc to use in the Western Cape area?

[SurferChild]

Scott2luvit.... All the best with your decision making on whether to go for the op or not. I'm affraid i can't help you with who to see in CT as i'm in JHB.

 

I had the op done on 6 June this year, also after numerous visits to the physio, chiro, stretching, rollong, rest, time off etc etc.

It took some time and self discipline to get back to cycling and not go too hard to fast after the op. I've gradually started building myself up again after the op and have really nurtured my knee well during this course.

 

I'm now 90% back to my normal cycling routine and training.... What a dream come true to cycle a long distance without any issues or murdering pain.

 

Good luck