What are the types of iliotibial band syndrome?

If you run near Elmwood Park and the outside of your leg is sore, you may be asking how many kinds of iliotibial band syndrome there are.

Types of iliotibial band syndrome

The clearest published split is by side. Cleveland Clinic says: "You can have iliotibial band syndrome in one leg, or you can have it in both legs."

How to read that answer

One leg or both is a description of where the problem shows up. It is a useful first check, because it tells you whether to hold one leg or both legs to your return-to-running checklist.

When you read other sources, look for the publisher and what it actually says.

What to read next

Leg pain from running is not always the same problem. Two published references for readers comparing leg problems are the NHS page on shin splints and OrthoInfo's page on stress fractures.

Before you run again, write down what should be true first. Then take that list to a clinician who can look at your leg or legs.

Why the side matters

Count the legs involved before you judge the recovery. A finished result means the benchmark is met on every side that was affected.