Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones, facilitating mechanical movement at a joint. The patella tendon, which links the quadriceps and patella to the tibia or shin bone, transfers the force generated by contraction of the muscles to facilitate extension of the knee joint. Tendinitis is a condition that often results from overuse at a joint and causes inflammation and pain to the muscle-tendon unit of that joint.
Patella Tendinitis
Patella tendinitis, also known as jumpers knee, is an injury associated with overuse in activities involving jumping, running and kicking. The main symptom is an aching pain felt around and beneath the patella during activity. Doctors or physical therapists can re-create this pain during palpation over the area.
Additionally, there may be swelling around the patella due to the inflammatory nature of the condition. The chronic stages of tendinitis may lead to an increase in the prevalence of tendon ruptures due to repetitive micro trauma at the bone tendon interface. Early and effective rehabilitation can treat the condition and minimize the risk of exacerbation.
Conservative Treatment
Conservative treatment initially consists of rest to avoid further aggravation and to promote healing to the area. Additionally, icing the tendon or using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or NSAIDS, will help reduce inflammation and pain.
Eccentric exercises and stretching during the early stages of the condition will help promote a successful return to activity. Consider surgery on the area only if the conservative intervention has been unsuccessful in treating the condition.
Eccentric Exercise
An eccentric exercise involves a slow and controlled release of a muscle contraction to allow a gradual lengthening at a joint. An example of this could be when a standing individual bends his knees to sit in a chair. During this activity, the quadriceps muscle eccentrically controls the rate that the knee is able to bend.
Eccentric contractions cause greater tension levels to be generated during muscular activity compared to concentric contractions. Because most movements involve eccentric stress, you should strengthen the muscle-tendon unit to withstand these stresses and thus prevent repetitive injury. High loads associated with this form of training mean eccentric rehabilitation should involve gradual incremented increases in resistance to strengthen the quadriceps muscle and patella tendon unit.
Further Advice
Before starting a program of rehabilitation, it is essential to consult with a doctor or physical therapist to ensure that you have an accurate diagnosis and effective program of rehabilitation. This will help you avoid further exacerbation to the injury.
