Patella tendonitis is a common issue experienced by many active individuals. This is an inflammation of the patella tendon. It is an acute condition often with associated swelling. The tendon is likely to be tender to palpation.
Patella tendonitis often develops due to repeated stress/strain on the tendon. Activities involving repeated squatting or stairs as well as sports involving sprinting, cutting, and jumping can result in injury to the tendon. Frequently there will be some measure of soreness before pain and injury happens.
Is there anything that can be done to prevent it? Yes, there are several key areas to work on that can may be
preventative.
For starters, working on strength of the quads and hip abductors. By maximizing strength of these key muscles, stress/strain can be better absorbed by the muscles and not the tendon. With the quads in particular, eccentric exercise is most important. Next, make sure the quad muscle is flexible enough. If the quads are tight, it can result in increased compression of the patella and thus more strain on the tendon. Finally, it can be useful to address balance.
What should I do if I have already developed patella tendonitis?
Well, you can attempt the key items listed above or seek out medical assistance. The first-choice provider should be a muscle and joint expert. This health professional will determine which of the key elements are most important to address. They will also work with you to determine how best to modification your activity to reduce the stress/strain on the tendon, thus allowing healing to occur.
Some may wonder if they should heat or ice or even take NSAIDs. If there is acute inflammation, then ice may be helpful. NSAIDs should be used with caution as they can disrupt the healing cycle, especially if taken long term. If you have questions with regards to medication, then best to consult your family doctor.
Still not sure where to start?
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