Your doctor has sent you to physical therapy for the treatment of Iliotibial Band Syndrome. This syndrome occurs when the tendon that runs from the knee to the hip is inflamed.
Your therapist will give you a series of exercises to reduce the pain and strengthen your knee. You can do many of these exercises at home. Always check with your therapist and physician for clearance on any home exercise plan.

Step 1

Stretch the IT band. The easiest stretch is to lie on your back and use a firm exercise band, a long strap from a suitcase, a yoga strap or other similar strap. Hitch the band around your foot and stretch your foot as straight up as you can. Keep the other leg on the ground and straighten your knee as you do the stretch. Do this three times holding for a count of 30.

Step 2

Stretch the IT band number two. Lie on your back similar to stretch number one with the exercise band, but instead of a straight up stretch, slant your leg. If the injury is on the left leg, stretch it across your body to the right and visa versa. Do this three times holding for 30 seconds. Never stretch so far as to cause pain.

Step 3

Stand on one leg. Stand on your injured leg for 60 seconds three times. It is not as easy as you think. Try it on your good leg, too!

Step 4

Stretch your calf muscles. This one is similar to stretching after biking or running. Find anything in your house that is about two to three inches high that will not move if you put your feet on it. Stand about two feet away from a wall. Slant your foot on the object and lean into the wall. Hold for 30 seconds. Do two of these.

Step 5

Do front, side and back leg raises. Lie on your back for front raises, your side for side ones, and either on your stomach or stand up for back ones. Raise your leg at about a 45 degree angle to your body for these exercises. Do 30 each way.

When you are feeling stronger, you can use light leg weights when doing leg raises.