An injury to the tendon that connects the patella to the tibia is known medically as Patellar tendinitis.
Symptoms of Patellar Tendinitis
Pain (including knee pain) is the first symptom of patellar tendinitis, normally between your kneecap and where the tendon attaches to your shinbone (tibia).
Initially, you may just feel pain in your knee as you begin physical activity or just after an extreme workout. Gradually, the pain worsens and starts to hinder playing your sport. Eventually, the pain disrupts daily movements such as climbing stairs or increasing from a chair.
Causes
Patellar tendinitis is a common overuse injury, triggered by repeated stress on your patellar tendon. The stress results in tiny tears in the tendon, which your body tries to repair.
But as the tears in the tendon increase, they cause pain from inflammation and weakening of the tendon. When this tendon damage continues for more than a couple of weeks, it’s called tendinopathy
How to Treat Patellar Tendonitis?
The initial treatment for patellar tendinopathy is to decrease your pain and inflammation. You can do this with rest, ice and medicines. More treatment consists of extending and reinforcing workouts with physiotherapy to slowly get you back to your usual activities. You may need surgery if your patellar tendon ruptures.
You may discover it valuable to see a sports medicine expert, such as a physiotherapist or a sports doctor. Your GP may refer you, or you can reserve a consultation with a physio therapist yourself.
There’s no quick fix for patellar tendinopathy You may need an extended period of rest and rehabilitation prior to your symptoms go totally.
Medicines for patellar tendinopathy
You can take over the counter painkillers, for example non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. These may supply short-term pain relief of patellar tendinopathy for a couple of weeks.
Your GP might have the ability to prescribe more powerful NSAIDs if your pain is truly bad.
Constantly read the client details that features your medication, and if you have questions ask your pharmacist or GP for recommendations.
Physiotherapy for Patellar Tendonitis
Your physio will carefully assess your knee and then prepare a private program of rehabilitation exercises to assist reinforce your knee and leg muscles gradually. Treatment may involve extending, and specific strengthening workouts.
Ensure you follow these exercises as they’re an important part of your recovery. Many people entirely recuperate if their tendon isn’t torn — your physio will let you know the length of time it will take.
Your physio may suggest you use patellar straps or braces, to help support your knee when you’re active. They might likewise provide you treatment with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). This involves using shockwaves to the affected area in order to minimize your pain.
Surgery for Patellar Tendonitis
The majority of people with patellar tendinopathy don’t require surgery. However it might be an alternative if your symptoms don’t enhance with other treatments after 3 to six months, or if your tendon tears (ruptures).
The goal of surgery is to repair your tendon and it’s normally carried out in an arthroscopy treatment, which is a type of keyhole surgery.
It takes about six to nine months to recuperate from surgery, and there’s a possibility that your knee still may not be the same later on. Ask your physician or surgeon to find out more.
