An injury to the tendon that connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone is called Patellar tendinitis. This tendon type works with the muscles located at the front of the thigh to extend the knee. It helps to jump, run, and kick.
This condition is also known as jumper’s knee and commonly happens in athletes who frequently jump (including basketball and volleyball). In any case, anyone can get this health condition.
Commonly, the treatment involves physical therapy that helps to stretch and strengthen the muscles that surround the knee.
Symptoms
The main symptom of this condition is pain which usually occurs between the kneecap and the place where the tendon attaches to the tibia (shinbone). When this condition happens, you may feel pain only when start physical activity or after a hard workout. Over time, the pain can worsen and often interacts with playing the sport. Moreover, pain can provoke daily routine problems such as climbing stairs or rising from a chair.
It is advised to see a healthcare professional immediately if you experience that pain is persistent or worsens, it affects your daily routine, and swelling and redness of the joint happens.
Causes
This patellar tendon condition usually occurs due to repetitive stress on it but in more cases, it is just an overuse injury. Thus, persistent stress causes small tears in the tendon that the body usually tends to repair. When these tears multiply, the pain usually appears. It is caused by inflammation and weakening of the tendon. Furthermore, if you experience tendon damage even after several weeks it is known as Tendinopathy.
Risk Factors
In most cases, a combination of factors provokes this condition. Check below some risk factors:
- Chronic diseases – There are some chronic conditions that could decrease blood flow to the knee, which leads to the weakening of the tendon. These include kidney failure, autoimmune diseases (such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), and metabolic diseases (such as diabetes).
- Muscular imbalance – Some people may have certain muscles stronger than others in the leg. As a result, stronger muscles can put extra strain on the patellar tendon.
- Tight leg muscles – In case the thigh muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings) are tight, it may lead to increased strain on the patellar tendon.
- Physical activity – If you are doing sports in which you need to jump and run frequently, it may lead to this condition. Furthermore, this is one of the most common causes of patellar tendinitis.
Complications
In case you continue workouts despite your pain, it may lead to certain complications. For instance, people who experience patellar tendon pain and continue playing sports can cause larger tears in that tendon. As a result, decreased function and pain in the knee can occur. Some people can also experience a more serious patellar tendinopathy.
How to Prevent Patellar Tendinitis?
Check below some tips that could help to prevent this tendon condition:
- Once pain appears, it is advised to interrupt playing sports. The only you can do is to ice that region and rest. Physicians recommend returning to playing or doing activities that involve the patellar tendon when the pain goes away.
- It is also recommended to strengthen thigh muscles because it helps better handle the stress that occurs on the patellar tendon. One effective method to straighten the muscles is eccentric exercises.
- You should also get professional instructions and use protective equipment, especially before starting a new sport.
Diagnosis
First, physicians will perform a physical examination to determine where the hurt exactly happened and in which part of the knee pain occurs in the front or below the kneecap. They can also perform some tests to confirm the condition. For example:
- X-rays – This test produces detailed images of the bones, which help your doctor to understand the exact location of the hurt. It also is used to exclude other potential bone conditions that provoke pain.
- Ultrasound – A procedure that involves sound waves to produce images of the knee. It helps to determine tendon tears.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – It helps to identify changes in the patellar tendon.
Treatment
Physicians usually recommend treatments that are not invasive. In case they do not work, you may need surgery. Check below some treatment options usually prescribed by doctors:
Medicines
For those who experience pain, doctors prescribe painkillers including Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or others. Previous medicines usually provide short-term pain relief.
Therapy
This treatment option involves techniques that help to lessen symptoms linked to patellar tendinitis. Examples include:
- Iontophoresis – This treatment involves a corticosteroid medicine that is inserted under the skin using a special device that delivers low electrical impulses.
- Patellar tendon strap – This procedure usually helps to lessen the pain and involves a strap that puts pressure on the patellar tendon to change the force to this strap instead of the tendon.
- Strengthening exercises – If you have weak leg muscles it may put extra strain on the patellar tendon. That’s why physicians recommend special exercises that will help to strengthen leg muscles.
- Stretching exercises – Such exercises help to decrease muscle spasms. However, never jump during these exercises.
Other Treatment Options
- Corticosteroid injection – This medicine is used to reduce the pain associated with the patellar tendon. On the other hand, this medicine can weaken the tendon which makes it more likely to rupture.
- Platelet-rich plasma injection – The studies are ongoing about this injection but some people with a chronic form of this condition tried this injection type. However, it is hoped that this treatment method can promote formation of the new tissues that will help to heal the tendon.
- Oscillating needle procedure – Before the procedure, you will receive local anesthesia. After that, physicians use ultrasound imaging to insert a small oscillating needle that helps to remove the damaged area.
- Surgery – This is an end-stage treatment option. In other words, if you do not notice any improvements while using other treatments, doctors may advise surgery. This treatment involves surgical debridement of the patellar tendon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are conditions that could be mistaken for patellar tendonitis?
- Quadriceps tendinopathy
- Infrapatellar bursitis
- Fat pad irritation
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Meniscus tears
- Osgood Schlatter’s and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndromes (in children)
If you suspect you or your child have any of the previous conditions, visit a doctor immediately.
What is the best treatment for patellar tendonitis?
Commonly, most people recover faster using RICE therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Moreover, they also use over-the-counter medications that help to relieve the pain.
Is patellar tendonitis a lifelong condition?
If you ignore the symptoms and continue doing activities or sports, it may lead to chronic knee pain over time. Commonly, the pain goes away within 1 month. If you have additional questions, ask your physician.
