MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN THE EVALUATION OF THE ILIOTIBIAL BAND IN CYCLISTS
Name: Beatriz Maria Monteiro de Castro
Type: MSc dissertation
Publication date: 22/08/2018
Advisor:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| RICARDO ANDRADE FERNANDES DE MELLO | Advisor * |
Examining board:
| Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| Marcelo Souto Nacif | External Examiner * |
| Marcos Rosa Júnior | Internal Examiner * |
| RICARDO ANDRADE FERNANDES DE MELLO | Advisor * |
Summary: Introduction: Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is an overuse injury and common cause of lateral pain in the knee frequently related to the practice of sport activities with repetitive movements of flexion and extension of the knee such as long distance runners and cyclists, accounting for 15% to 24% of cyclist overuse injuries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be relevant in the confirmation of clinical diagnosis and in the exclusion of other causes of lateral pain in the knee.
Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of changes involving the iliotibial band (ITB) in the knees of cyclists and control patients through MRI and correlate the image findings with clinical data and training aspects of cyclists.
Method: Observational, cross-sectional study carried out in the University Hospital Cassiano Antônio de Moraes (HUCAM) from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) between June 2015 and March 2017 with 42 cyclists and 42 control patients matched by sex and age. Demographic, clinical, and training data were collected by a questionnaire and knee MRI were performed.
Results: The main findings related to ITB in the knee MRI exams were edema, being observed in cyclists in 47,6% on the right knee and 54,8% on the left and in control patients in 33,4% on the right and 35,7% on the left. Mild edema was the most prevalent in both groups, however, moderate/marked edema was more observed in the cyclist group and the statistical analysis showed a very significant dependence relationship between the edema and the cyclist group (p < 0,05). Localized fluid collection was evidenced only in the knee of 1 cyclist and 1 control patient. Edema in the lateral femoral condyle was not described in any of the groups. ITB signal change was observed only in one knee of a control patient. Regarding the thickness of ITB, there was no significant difference between groups. The correlation of mild and moderate/marked edema with BMI variables, kilometers traveled per week, bike fit, stretching, competition participation, and other sports practice in the cycling group did not show statistical dependence relationship.
Conclusion: The main finding in knee MRI related to ITB in cyclists was edema. Our study demonstrated a very significant statistical dependence relationship between moderate/marked edema and the cyclist group. There was no statistical dependence relationship between BMI variables, kilometers traveled per week, bike fit, stretching, competition participation, practice of other sports and mild and moderate/marked edema in cyclists.
Key-words: cycling; knee; magnetic resonance imaging; iliotibial band syndrome.
 
