Intérêt de l’arthroscopie du genou dans le traitement du syndrome de la bandelette iliotibiale

Abstract

Iliotibial band syndrome is a common cause of lateral knee pain in athletes. The diagnosis is clinical. Surgery can be proposed if well-conducted conservative treatment is unsuccessful for 6 months. We reviewed a retrospective series of seven patients at mean 3.7 years postoperative follow-up. Six practiced sports regularly. The preoperative work-up included a physical examination, standard X-rays and MRI of the knee joint and arthroscopy for all patients. Open surgery was performed with transverse section of the posterior fibers (10 mm). The outcome assessment was based on the pain score, the subjective IKDC score, and resumption of sports activities. Six patients had intra-articular lesions, which for three patients had been missed preoperatively. Arthroscopy was performed for complementary treatments in four patients. In 2008, six patients responded to a telephone interview. Outcome was very satisfactory: mean IKDC score was 84 in five patients who had resumed their sports activities at the same level. One patient underwent arthroscopy to rule out any intra-articular lesion causing lateral pain. Possible intercurrent conditions could be the cause of persistent pain despite adequate medical treatment and physiotherapy. Certain authors propose arthroscopic release. This option enables complementary treatments in the same operative time.