Knee tendinitis is a condition that results from the overuse of the patellar tendon. As a runner you repetitively put heavy stress on the knee joint through frequent contact with a running surface. This can lead to patellar weakness or small tears of the patellar tendon. The patella tendon connects the patella more commonly known as the knee cap to the tibia or the shin bone.
Anatomy of the Knee
In the human body, tendons are responsible for attaching muscle to bone.The patellar tendon works in conjunction with the quadriceps muscle on the front of your thigh to help straighten your leg. For the knee joint to function properly the quadriceps tendon is fused to the knee cap which is then connected to the patellar tendon that attaches to the top of the tibia bone. The patella or kneecap is a sesamoid or floating bone that is a part of the patellar tendon.
Symptoms
Pain is the primary symptom of patellar tendinitis. This pain may be localized in the area of the patellar tendon as it attaches to the tibia. As you workout the pain may become progressively worse, subsiding as a dull ache with discontinuation of activity. The tendon will become inflamed and you may notice a tightness or lack of ability to bend the knee. The inflammation may lead to a "squeaking" of the knee.
Treatments
The treatment of your knee tendinitis depends on the severity of the tear or tears in the patellar tendon. In cases of tendinitis that do not require surgery an initial plan consisting of the RICE protocol or rest, ice, compression and elevation of the leg should be followed. Following an appointment with a qualified medical professional a program of stretching and strengthening exercises for muscles, tendons and ligaments of the knee joint will be prescribed.
Prevention
To prevent the repeated tearing of the patellar tendon there are some considerations that you may want to follow. You should add a stretching and strengthening program to supplement your running. A patellar tendon strap can be used to prevent painful symptoms during your workout. The most important way to prevent patellar tendinitis is to avoid overuse of the tendon by scheduling adequate rest following flareups.
