The knee is a large hinge joint in the body, which means that it can only move in one plane. The knee joint is strong enough to carry much of the body's weight due to the presence of cartilage and synovial fluid, which help cushion the joint. In some cases, extensive stress on the joint can put stress on tendons (pieces of connective tissue that link muscles to bones), resulting in injuries to the knee tendons.
Knee Tendons
According to KidsHealth.org, there are three main tendons in the knee. In the back of the knee, there is the hamstrings tendon, which connects the muscles in the back of the thigh to the lower leg. The quadriceps tendon connects the quadriceps muscles to the kneecap, also known as the patella. The patellar tendon then connects the kneecap to the top of the tibia (shin bone).
Tendinitis and Rupture
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) explains that one of the more common knee tendon problems is tendinitis. Tendinitis is the result of inflammation of the knee tendons and can occur due to overuse of the knee joint. One particular type of tendinitis is called jumpers knee and is common in patients who play sports that require frequent jumping, such as basketball.
Osgood-Schlatter
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that can be caused by the patellar tendon tearing away from the bone, taking some of the bone tissue with it. This condition leads to swelling and pain in the knee and is the result of excessive stress being placed on the top of the shin bone. It is most common in younger people who engage in sports that involve running and jumping (including some track and field activities).
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome is caused by a tendon in the knee running over the outer part of the kneecap. This causes irritation of the tendon, which leads to inflammation and swelling of the knee. Iliotibial band syndrome is the result of extended overuse of the knee joint, which can sometimes result from training for sports.
Treatment
The most common treatments for knee tendon injuries is a combination of rest, ice and elevation of the knee. All of these treatments work to reduce the inflammation of the knee, which is the most common problem caused by injuries to the knee tendons. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin can also relieve the swelling and pain. Partial tears of a knee tendon may require a cast. Serious knee tendon injuries, such as a complete tearing of the tendon require surgery to heal properly.
