• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.20-27
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of three methods for measuring iliotibial tract length in 40 knees of 20 subjects. The measurements were performed by two examiners and one assistant. The length of the iliotibial tract was measured using three methods: the first used a modified Ober test with an inclinometer, the second used a modified Ober test with a marker, and the third used active adduction test with a marker in the supine position. Each examiner used the three methods in two sessions. For the first method, the inclinometer value was recorded manually. For the second and third methods, Image J analysis software was used to analyze the photographs taken. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the measured value was assessed by means of intra-class correlation coefficients [ICC (3,1)] and the standard error of measurement. The intra-rater reliabilities of the three methods were excellent (ICC=.97, .95, and .94, respectively), and the inter-rater reliabilities of the first and second methods were fair to good (ICC=.64 and .65, respectively). The inter-rater reliability of the third method was excellent (ICC=.88). Our results suggest that the active adduction test is an objective and qualitative measurement method for measuring iliotibial tract length. We recommend that the active adduction test be used for measuring iliotibial tract length in the clinical setting.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.75-83
• /
• 2019

Background: A tight iliotibial band (ITB) may lead to lateral patellar maltracking, compression, and tilt, and dominant vatus lateralis (VL) muscle activation relative to vastus medialis oblique (VMO) can laterally displace the patella, which leads to anterior knee pain. Therefore, an effective management technique is needed to stabilize the patella in individuals with tight ITB. Increased stability during the modified Thomas test has the potential to decrease compensatory motion and thus to selectively stretch the ITB. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ITB stretching in the modified Thomas test position on ITB flexibility, patellar translation, and muscle activities of the VMO and VL during quadreceps-setting (QS) exercise in individuals with tight ITB. Methods: Twenty-one subjects with tight ITB were recruited. Digital inclinometer was used to measure the hip adduction angle during the modified Ober test. Universal goniometer was used to measure the hip abduction angle during the modified Thomas test. Ultrasonography was used to measure the patella-condylar distance. Electromyography was performed to collect data of muscle activities. Paired t-test was used to determine the statistical significance between pretest and posttest. Results: The range of hip adduction in modified Ober test increased (p=.04) and the range of hip abduction in the modified Thomas test decreased after ITB stretching (p<.01). There was no difference between lateral patellar translation (p=.18). VMO muscle activity significantly increased after ITB stretching during QS (p<.01). VL muscle activity had no difference after stretching. Conclusion: The ITB stretching in the modified Thomas test position can be suggested as a management method for improving ITB flexibility and VMO muscle activity in individuals with tight ITB.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to compare the immediate effects of tensor fascia latae (TFL) stretching with weight bearing (standing position) or non-weight bearing (side-lying position). Methods : The study was conducted on 30 adults (12 men, 18 women) in their 20s. Modified Thomas's test was conducted to find out if the TFL muscle has a tightness for current study. This study randomly divided the subjects into two groups and set the standing stretching group (n=15) or the side-lying stretching group (n=15). Both groups applied self-stretching under the therapist's supervision. TFL stretching in each positions was performed 30 seconds per set, 3 times, and 30 seconds per set could rest. The Ober test were conducted to investigate the effect of TFL stretching in each positions. Results : For the Ober test measurements within each group, both groups significantly increased after intervention compared to before (p<.05). There was no significant difference between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion : TFL stretching in standing position and side-lying position increased the range of motion of the TFL muscle. Therefore, if it is difficult to apply TFL stretching in standing position (weight bearing) due to pain or other reasons, it will be able to TFL stretching in side-lying position (non-weight bearing).

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.147-154
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness of the treatment with the stretching exercise in the patients with iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome. Materials and Methods: 22 patients with ITB friction syndrome were treated with the stretching exercise of the ITB. The criterion for determining the good result is more than 75% recovery according to the classification of success of treatment. We analyzed the differences of the duration of treatment at which the good result it achieved according to sincerity of the stretching exercise. The sincerity of the exercise is defined at performing more than 50% of the exercise that we prescribed. Results: Of 22 patients, there were good results in 19 cases (87%) within 8 weeks after the treatment. Except for 3 cases who did not achieved good results, the average duration of the treatment is 28.1 days. In patients with good results there was no statistical significance for the relationship between the duration of symptoms before diagnosis (average 25.6 days) and the duration of the treatment (average 28.1 days). In comparison with the group who performed the exercise sincerely and the group who did not, the average duration of the treatment if 23 days and 32.7 days respectively and there was significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The stretching exercise in ITB friction syndrome was helpful in reducing the duration of treatment.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of tensor fasciae latae-iliotibial band (TFL-ITB) self-stretching exercise on the lumbopelvic movement patterns during active prone hip lateral rotation (HLR) in subjects with lumbar extension rotation syndrome accompanying TFL-ITB shortness. Eleven subjects (9 male and 2 female) were recruited for the two-week study. A three dimensional ultrasonic motion analysis system was used to measure the lumbopelvic movement patterns. The TFL-ITB length was measured using the modified Ober's test and was expressed as the hip horizontal adduction angle. The subjects were instructed how to perform TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise program at home. A paired t-test was performed to determine the significant difference in the angle of lumbopelvic rotation, movement onset time of lumbopelvic rotation, TFL-ITB length, and LBP intensity before and after the two-week period of performing the TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise. The results showed that after the intervention, the lumbopelvic rotation angle decreased significantly (p<.05), the movement onset time reduced significantly (p<.05), and LBP intensity decreased slightly but not significantly (p=.07). The hip horizontal adduction angle increased significantly (p<.05) after the intervention. These findings indicate that TFL-ITB stretching exercise increased TFL-ITB length, decreased lumbopelvic rotation angle, and delayed the movement onset time of lumbopelvic rotation after two-weeks. In conclusion, the TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise performed over a period of two weeks may be an effective approach for patients with lumbar extension rotation syndrome accompanying TFL-ITB shortness.