Iliotibial Band Lengthening: An Arthroscopic Surgical Technique

PLAR: a combined percutaneous and arthroscopic treatment for iliotibial band syndrome description of surgical technique and short-term results: description of surgical technique and short-term results

INTRODUCTION

Description of a new surgical procedure (percutaneous lengthening and arthroscopic release, PLAR) that combines all the possible interventions on the iliotibial band (ITB), and evaluates its outcomes in a group of distance runners diagnosed with ITBS.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was made of distance runners diagnosed with ITBS and operated upon using the PLAR technique between 1 and 2018 and 31 June 2020. The surgical technique is described in detail, and the demographic data and functional outcomes measured by the sports performance scales Activity Rating Scale (ARS) and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) are presented.

RESULTS

A total of 14 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 16 months (range 12-42 months). All the patients resumed their previous sporting activity after an average of 4 (range 2.5-6) months, and no complications were recorded. In all cases, statistically significant improvement was evidenced by the ARS and IKDC scales following PLAR (p < 0.001), with excellent outcomes in 71% of the cases according to the ARS scale and in 86% according to the IKDC scale (mean difference between preoperative and final follow-up scores of 12.1/16 and 34.2/100 points, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The PLAR technique is effective in allowing a return to previous sports performance levels in a short period of time among patients with ITBS refractory to conservative management, with a high satisfaction rate and the absence of complications.

Outcome of lateral retinacular nerve transection combined with release for recalcitrant iliotibial band friction syndrome

In this retrospective study, a technique consisting in neurolysis of the lateral retinacular nerve combined with a partial release through elliptic excision of the iliotibial band (ITB) is evaluated for efficacy in recalcitrant ITB friction syndrome and compared with results from other techniques reported in literature. From April 2014 to December 2017, 21 patients suffering from recalcitrant ITB friction syndrome were surgically treated with the aforementioned technique. 15 patients (15 knees) were available for a written retrospective reassessment after completion of a follow-up period of at least 12 months. Residual pain was scored using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The functional outcome was evaluated by two patient reported outcome measurement scales (PROMs), the Lysholm and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Return to sport was analysed by duration of the inactivity period as well as by the Tegner score. Overall satisfaction was evaluated using a modified Boyden scale. At final follow-up of one year, the performed intervention resulted in a pain reduction (VAS 4.2 (1-8) to 1.4 (0-6)) and improved knee function (Lysholm 59.53 to 87.73, IKDC 75) with return to sport (Tegner 4.3 to 5.4) after a median of 23.8 weeks (6 to 52). Twelve patients reported good or excellent results (80%) at final follow-up, and 12 patients (80%) would undergo surgery again, if necessary. The treatment of recalcitrant ITB friction syndrome by combining neurectomy of the lateral retinacular nerve with elliptic excision of the ITB resulted in good to excellent results in 80% of treated cases with return to sport in 93%.

Knee Iliotibial Band Z-Plasty Lengthening and Bursectomy Technique

Multiple surgical techniques have been described to treat refractory iliotibial band syndrome. However, there is lacking evidence demonstrating superiority of one technique over the other and limited audiovisual resources. Most surgical procedures aim to release the iliotibial band; nevertheless, few focus on reducing concomitant inflammation. The present article illustrates a Z-plasty lengthening technique associated with local bursectomy for treating iliotibial band syndrome refractory to conservative treatment.

Ultrasound-guided release for iliotibial band syndrome: A novel ultraminimally invasive surgical procedure

BACKGROUND

Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is the most common cause of lateral knee pain in runners (affecting 7-14%) and in persons taking part in other sports. The aim of this study was to show how to perform a distal release of the ITB guided by ultrasound and present our initial results with this new technique.

METHODS

The surgical technique - either Z-plasty or transverse section of the ITB - was first validated on 14 cadaver specimens and then applied in clinical practice. We operated on 32 patients (27 males and five females, 34 cases) from 2013 to 2018. Mean age was 40 years (25-60). The patients comprised 21 recreational middle- or long-distance runners (23 cases), five cyclists, two basketball players, two military personnel, one fireman, and one boxer.

RESULTS

All patients were satisfied after 3 months and returned to their sporting activities without restrictions. The visual analog scale score for the practice of sports activities improved from 7 (6-9) before surgery to 0 (0-1) after. The average Lysholm score was 68 points before surgery and 97 (91-100) after, with five good results and 29 excellent results. No patients complained of instability or muscle weakness after 3 months.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided release of the ITB is a novel minimally aggressive surgical approach that potentially enables faster recovery. It is relatively easy, quick, and painless, with a small incision, and can be performed under local anaesthesia in an outpatient setting. It does not require limb exsanguination or stitches, and complications are minimal.

Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of Distal Iliotibial Band Syndrome-Where Do We Stand? A Systematic Review

Purpose

To systematically review the operative versus nonoperative methods for management of iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) with comparison of the respective clinical outcomes.

Methods

By adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, 3 databases (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) searched from inception to October 2019 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies on humans that reported the outcomes following operative or nonoperative management of ITBS. Excluded were case reports, case series with <5 participants, review articles, non-English articles, and non–peer-reviewed articles. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria for observational studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs were used for quality control.

Results

There were 15 eligible studies (9 for operative,6 for nonoperative treatment) examining 179 athletes (mean age 27.3 years, range: 17-53) who received conservative therapy for ITBS and 200 athletes (mean age 30.1 years, range: 14-63) who underwent surgical treatment. Most athletes were runners (65%). The mean follow-up time was significantly longer in studies reporting the outcomes following operative compared with nonoperative ITBS treatment (33.5 vs 2 months, respectively, P < .05). Significant variability in the methods used to assess the clinical outcomes precluded meta-analysis. The most commonly reported (7/9 studies, 77.7%) variable for postoperative evaluation in athletes was the return to sport rate (range: 81%-100%). Significant reduction in pain was consistently (6/6 studies,100%) found among the studies reporting the results of conservative ITBS treatment. The included RCTs were of good (1/5, 20%), fair (2/5, 40%), or poor (2/5, 40%) quality, whereas the average MINORS score was 7.4 (range: 3-13) for observational studies. The level of evidence ranged from Level II (6/15 studies) to IV (9/15 studies).

Conclusions

Based on the current literature and at a maximum follow-up time of 6 months, conservative therapy can effectively reduce ITBS symptoms in athletes. Multiple surgical options exist for athletes who do not respond to nonoperative measures, with a reported return to sport rate between 81% and 100%.

Level of Evidence

Systematic review of Level II and IV studies