Z-Plasty of IT Band

What is Z-Plasty of the IT Band?

Occasionally, a painful hip can also snap. There are 2 types: one is internal and is caused by the Iliopsoas tendon and the other is external and is caused by the IT band snapping over the greater trochanter. I do not treat the popping that comes from the Iliopsoas tendon. Releasing this tendon frequently results in hip flexion weakness and can imbalance the hip. Usually, the snapping of the Iliopsoas will improve once the hip is fixed with hip arthroscopy. External snapping usually begins as something that is voluntary. Over time and as the hip imbalances, it becomes more frequent and involuntary. If it becomes painful and something that you want to go away, then it can be surgically fixed. I perform a Z-Plasty lengthening of the IT band to lengthen the IT band so that it can move back and forth over the side of the hip and will no longer snap.

My promise is to put absolutely everything I have into your operation to ensure the best outcome. My goal is to make your hip perfect and help you return to all you enjoy doing.

Download Patient's Guide to Open Z-Plasty for IT Bands Presentation

Featured Presentations

What is Labral Reconstruction?

Interview: Revision Surgery and Ligamentum Teres Reconstruction

Labral Reconstruction: A Decade of Expanding Evidence: Vail Hip Symposium 2022

To view the collection of Dr. White’s presentations, visit the education section

Dr. White's Presentations

Published Studies

Dr. White's published studies

Severe Pincer Study:

Do you have a very deep Cup or Acetabulum? This study focuses on my technique for Severe Pincer Type FAI with significant reduction of the over-coverage and Labral Reconstruction. This technique was 98% successful for this very challenging deformity.

Expanding Evidence: 2022 Labral Reconstruction Review:

I was asked to write another review paper in 2022 as evidence in support of Labral Reconstruction has expanded significantly in the last 10 years.

Hip labral reconstruction:

Most debates on this issue in which I have participated have focused on labral reconstruction vs. repair or debridement. Therefore, I see this opportunity to discuss the advantages of complete labral reconstruction vs. segmental grafting as a sign of progress.

Over 40 study:

Are you over 40 years old? This paper directly compares Labral Reconstruction to Labral Repair in over 300 patients. Labral Repairs failed almost 3 ½ times more than the Labral Reconstructions. This paper proves that Labral Reconstruction is the best surgery in this age group.

Bilateral Study:

This is a clean comparison study of 29 patients that I performed a Labral Repair on one side and a Labral Reconstruction on their other hip. None of the Reconstructions failed and 31% of the Labral Repairs required another surgery. This proves Labral Reconstruction in my hands is simply a better operation.

Revision Study:

This paper proved that Labral Reconstruction is the best surgery for people who have had a previous hip arthroscopy that did not work.

1st Labral Reconstruction Study:

This was my first paper on Allograft Labral Reconstruction of the hip and the first to describe my “Front to Back” technique. It also validated the use of donor tissue for the graft.

Original Labral Reconstruction Technique Description:

This is my original description of my “Front to Back” allograft labral reconstruction technique.

Femur Fracture:

This looked at patients who had broken their femur and still had pain in the hip after it was fixed. It showed that sometimes the pain is not from the fracture or the hardware used to fix it, it can be from a torn labrum.

Review Paper-when to perform and how:

This is a paper that I was asked to write several years ago to summarize my experience and the literature support at that time for labral reconstruction.

General Post-Op Instructions

Rehabilitation following surgery, in many instances, is as important as the surgery itself. It requires a commitment from the patient to make it a part of their daily routine. I believe that physical therapists and athletic trainers have an integral role in guiding and assisting patients through this process. I will work with both you and your therapist to ensure that your rehabilitation is appropriate and that you are progressing and improving, as you should.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation is always tailored to the individual patient’s goals and is affected by the type of surgery that was performed and intra-operative findings. The total duration for therapy and progression to return to full activity is always individualized. Please see these links for more information on therapy guidelines for specific surgeries