Comments on: Running Shoes and Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS): One Runner’s Story

By: Beverly

Beverly — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:55:23 +0000

Hi. I’m not a runner nor have I ever been, but I have experienced ITBS now for 1yr.. Injections haven’t helped much even though the knotted area at left anterior side of knee cap is less knotted. I have numbness above left knee across top of knee cap across thigh diagonally.
I wear slip on Clark’s as I’m too old to bend and tie shoes. I bought Hush Puppies slip on shoe that has Bounce Removable Inner Sole and it seemed to help. I wake up with IT Band tight.
I sit with legs elevated but then walk barefooted to my table to work or stand at sink. I had 2 consecutive sessions at PT, Therapist has 2 PhD’s in PT. Very informed and tried multiple exercises. Even she saw the knotted area did not relax even with Roller, massage and Ultrasonic device. So, I have had 3 Injections over 90days. I saw that some persons that have Interstim II, neuro-stimulator at sacral nerve have developed left leg pain. Do you have any experience with anyone having developed ITBS due to implant?
2 Consecutive 8 week sessions @2-3 times per week.

By: Mardie

Mardie — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 20:48:30 +0000

I am currently training for a half-marathon! It has been a few years since my last one, which I ended up not being able to run due to my ITB.

Now that I’m training again, I’m trying to figure out the best running shoe to avoid re-injuring it. What should I be looking for in a running shoe with my ITB in mind? Also, what is your take on asics dynaflyte 3 in regards to that? (I have access to a free/new pair- but don’t want to take them just because they’re free unless it’s actually going to be a good fit for me).

By: Jake

Jake — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:43:02 +0000

This blog/thread is amazing. I want to share my own experience here.

I’ve only started to run in the past year or so. I didn’t get pain in my knee but upper IT band, back hip and runs down the thigh. I went from Nike to ASICS to Hoka without success. Finally decided to try a zero drop shoe, Altra Escalante, the problem immediately went away.

However, Altra is not as durable as ASICS, I recently got Kinvara and Freedom, both 4mm drops. Strange enough, Kinvara gives me ITB issue but Freedom is painfree.

I would say it is not consistent across all. A friend of mine with same issue changed his neutral shoes to a supportive shoe and the problem went away.

Regardless, the point remains, changing shoes does make a difference!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 19:19:28 +0000

Hello,
I have been dealing with itbs for about 3 months. I went to the gts 17 to train for a marathon last year, and everything seemed to go well. I was told I overpronate, so I went with their suggestion. I wore cheap asics before with zero issue. I recently got gts 18 thinking my shoes were just worn out. Doing all the exercises, stretches etc. Not much change. I’m not ready for minimal shoes, but perhaps neutral? I also tried ghost 9. No help. Would you recommend an even more neutral shoe. Thanks

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:04:24 +0000

In reply to Neeraj. Great to hear it!

By: Neeraj

Neeraj — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 17:16:47 +0000

Wow. Just last week I figured this out. I switched from Brooks Pureflow (Neutral) to Saucony Guide (stability) about 2 months back. Couple of weeks after switch I developed ITB issue. Last week, forgot my shoes in the car that my wife use, had to use old brooks pureflow. Ran 10 miles and absolutely no pain. I was jumping with joy after the run! Googled for similar experience and came across this blog. :)
I am glad I can now run without pain.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 03:26:43 +0000

This same thing happened to me! I bought a pair of Nike free 5.0s a month ago and since I’ve been wearing them I have had zero it band pain before that I would always get it after longer runs and it was even hurting me during the day at work I’ve been wearing my nikes to work too and they have completely cured me of my pain. I’ve always been told I “needed” supportive shoes but they have always caused me to have it band pain. I’ve been running since I was 14 (I’m 27now) never really had any issues till a few years ago.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 12:16:57 +0000

thanks for this blog and all posts too – i had this issue in january of this year and changed the shoes up a bit along with massage and rolling and stretches and resolved the problem – however, i recently have started running in the adrenaline gts 15s again for long runs for marathon training and it seems to have recurred – theres definitely something in the shoes that causes it for me! hope this helps others

By: Adrienne Cooper

Adrienne Cooper — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 20:09:50 +0000

Peter,

I’m so glad I did a search on whether my shoe could have caused IT syndrome! I clicked on your blog first and am glad I had. I had thought I was over pronating as well and changed shoes to stabilize my gait. I’d been running for about 6 years without any problems. I was never a big stretcher and am older so I thought my aches and pains were age related. I had recently gone to the orthopedist for an evaluation for my other knee which started having problems. I thought I’d torn my meniscus, causing me so much pain I was limping badly, using Tylenol as well as Naproxen daily. I never thought it would be from changing shoes. I haven’t run in almost a year now, the pain has been that great. I wonder what will happen when I get new shoes!

Thanks for your blog,

Adrienne Cooper

By: Kristof

Kristof — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 15:27:06 +0000

I just wanted to say thanks to Pete and to each one of the abundance of contributors with interesting case studies in the discussion. This might well be the best article/discussion combo addressing ITBS on the internet.

As for my case, the syndrome was not a surprise, because being used to run up to 5-10 mpw, I ran a relay race totaling 18 miles – when not pounding downhill (naively fast), I ran on the left side of a crowned road – all that in Nike LunarSwifts, more than 750 miles old, the foam of which I only belatedly found to have broken down on the outer side of the heel. Now I am collecting research, trying to find time for abductor strengthening and the MYRTL routine (http://youtu.be/2GLrKr54yA0), and waiting for the delivery of two pairs of more minimal shoes, the Adidas Adizero Hagio 2 for road and New Balance Minimus 80 for trails.

By: Mario Hernandez

Mario Hernandez — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 23:35:29 +0000

In reply to Kleinruns.

Hi Kleinruns!

Wow! This was such a good comment. I love that you cited some authors. Did you come up with some kind of tesis as a result of your exercise science major? I would definitely be interested in buying it.

If not, do you hace any more info you could share? I would appreciate it very much.

By: Linz

Linz — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 23:04:33 +0000

In reply to Peter Larson.

Thanks for your reply. I am going to go to my local running store and request a neutral shoe. I have heard they always try to sell you inserts when you tell them that you’re having problems such as mine. I noticed that you named a few of your favorite types of shoes that are more neutral-do you have any current favorites?Just to give me somewhere to start.
Like you said, it’s worth a try.
Thanks again