根据不同的人群,该综合征的发生率预计范围在1.6%~52.0%[10]Kirk KL, Kuklo T, Klemme W. Iliotibial band friction syndrome. Orthopedics. 2000 Nov;23(11):1209-14.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11103969?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Noble CA. Iliotibial band friction syndrome in runners. Am J Sports Med. 1980 Jul-Aug;8(4):232-4.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7396052?tool=bestpractice.com 这是导致跑步者和骑行者膝关节外侧疼痛最常见的原因,根据报道在所有下肢损伤中发生率为22.2%。[12]Linenger JMCC. Is iliotibial band syndrome overlooked? Phys Sportsmed. 1992 Feb;20(2):98-108. 一项针对 2002 例跑步损伤患者的回顾性分析报道了 168 例髂胫束综合征。性别分布情况为:1076 位女性中有 105 例,926 位男性中有 63 例。[13]Taunton JE, Ryan MB, Clement DB, et al. A retrospective case-control analysis of 2002 running injuries. Br J Sports Med. 2002 Apr;36(2):95-101.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724490/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11916889?tool=bestpractice.com 一项对400位女性跑步者的前瞻性研究中发现16%的跑步损伤为髂胫束综合征。[14]Noehren B, Davis I, Hamill J. ASB clinical biomechanics award winner 2006 prospective study of the biomechanical factors associated with iliotibial band syndrome. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2007 Nov;22(9):951-6.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17728030?tool=bestpractice.com 在一项针对 6608 名英国新兵的横断面研究中,髂胫束综合征的发病率为 6.2%。[15]Sharma J, Greeves JP, Byers M, et al. Musculoskeletal injuries in British Army recruits: a prospective study of diagnosis-specific incidence and rehabilitation times. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015 May 4;16:106.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4443544/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25935751?tool=bestpractice.com
髂胫束综合征还可能发生于参加排球、网球、足球、滑雪、举重和有氧锻炼的人群。 越有经验的跑步者可能越不易罹患髂胫束综合征。[16]Messier SP, Edwards DG, Martin DF, et al. Etiology of iliotibial band friction syndrome in distance runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;27:951-960.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7564981?tool=bestpractice.com 在普通人群中并不常见。 对于髂胫束综合征发生率的报道因统计方法不同而有所差异(例如,报道髂胫束综合征在跑步损伤中的百分比而不是在整体跑步人群中的发生率)。[17]van der Worp MP, van der Horst N, de Wijer A, et al. Iliotibial band syndrome in runners: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2012 Nov 1;42(11):969-92.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22994651?tool=bestpractice.com