Iliotibial band friction syndrome after knee arthroplasty

Iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome is known to be one of the main causes of lateral knee pain related to an overuse injury. In the field of knee arthroplasty, ITB traction syndrome has been reported following guided motion total knee arthroplasty, due to posterior femoral translation and internal tibial rotation during knee flexion. However, ITB friction syndrome following conventional knee arthroplasty has not been reported. This paper reports four cases of this syndrome following conventional knee arthroplasty, mainly caused by an obstruction just under the ITB. Cases 1 and 2 presented extruded cement at the femoral component's lateral side after total knee arthroplasty. Case 3 presented a highly sharp-edged bearing at the lateral compartment after bicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Case 4 presented an osteophyte at the femoral component's lateral side after total knee arthroplasty. Although none of the cases responded well to conservative treatment, ITB friction syndrome was completely relieved just after excising the obstruction. Excision of an obstruction should be considered for ITB friction syndrome caused by obstruction just under the ITB following knee arthroplasty.