Iliotibial band thickness: sonographic measurements in asymptomatic volunteers

The aims of this study were to measure the thickness of the iliotibial band (ITB) in asymptomatic adult volunteers and to determine whether there was any correlation between these measurements and the subjects' age, weight, or height.

Sonography was used to measure the ITB thickness in 31 asymptomatic volunteers (13 men and 18 women) ranging from 25 to 68 years old. Two radiologists obtained the sonographic measurements of each volunteer at the levels of the femoral condyle and the tibial condyle of both knees. Findings of fluid or bursae adjacent to the ITB were recorded.

The mean ITB thickness was 1.95 mm +/- 0.3 mm (+/- standard deviation) at the level of the femoral condyle and 3.4 mm +/- 0.5 mm at the level of the tibial condyle. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between ITB thickness and subject age. There was no significant correlation between ITB thickness and subject weight or height. Joint fluid was present in the lateral recess of both knees in 29 volunteers (93.5%) and 1 knee joint in 2 volunteers (6.5%). Bursae were present in 3 volunteers (9.7%).

The mean sonographic values of normal ITB thickness established using sonography may be helpful in diagnosing ITB pathology. There is no significant correlation between ITB thickness and subject weight or height, but there is a negative correlation between ITB thickness and subject age. Joint fluid in the lateral recess is present in most asymptomatic individuals, but bursae are rare.