Knee tendonitis symptoms

Knee tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon of the patella. This tendon is an essential element of our anatomy, as it is responsible for the extension and flexion of the knee, in addition to connecting the patella with the lower leg area through the tibia. When this tendon becomes inflamed, it produces a series of symptoms that we will observe below, but basically, it prevents the correct movement of the knee, causing pain in the face of natural functions.

It is important to know that there is not just one type of tendinitis, but that depending on the affectation in the tendons we can speak of one type or another. Here we explain the different types of knee tendonitis:

• Patellar tendonitis: it is the most frequent injury of this type. It is also known for jumper’s knee. As its name suggests, it affects the patellar tendon, the one that joins the knee and patella, and is caused by an overload on this tissue.
• Quadriceps tendonitisAlso known as the quadriceps tendon, this time the affected tendon is the one that joins the knee with the quadriceps. This injury is very common among athletes, especially those who do athletics or other sports that involve stops, starts and jumps.
• Goose foot tendonitis: This type of tendinitis, whose medical name is iliotibial band syndrome, is an injury affecting three tendons in the area. This injury is produced by overexertion that causes inflammation of the tendon, causing symptoms very similar to patellar tendonitis.

It is quite common to confuse the iliotibial band syndrome with patellar tendonitis, so it is important to make a correct diagnosis to be able to give the appropriate treatment that ends the injury and its discomfort.

Knee tendinitis can have many triggers, below we explain their most common causes:

• The practice of certain sports, especially those that require flexion, jumping and knee impacts is one of the main causes of knee tendonitis, especially among elite athletes who increase the muscle to its limit.
• Trauma caused by falls or blows to the knee.
• Some diseases that manifest themselves through joint inflammation can favor the appearance of tendonitis. One of the most common is rheumatoid arthritis.
• The aging is a key factor in the onset of arthritis, older people are the main affected by this injury.

Depending on the severity of the injury, the symptoms of tendonitis will be one or the other. Depending on the affectation of the tendon they will also manifest themselves at one time or another; walking, during exercise or simply while at rest. Here we explain what are the main symptoms of knee tendonitis, so you can identify if this injury is the cause of your pain:

• Stiff knee, especially when jumping, squatting, kneeling or climbing stairs.
• Pain when flexing.
• Quadriceps pain.
• Feeling weak or losing strength.
• Tenderness throughout the tendon, especially near the joint.
• Pain at night.
• The pain becomes more intense with activity.
• After exertion the pain is more intense.

Other less frequent symptoms that indicate greater severity are:

• It’s hard for you to keep your balance.
• Your lower knee swells up and its temperature rises.
• You cannot squat.
• If you contract your quadriceps while standing, your knee hurts.
• Pain with just walking.
• Pain when you get up.
• Lumbar pain
• Pain behind the knee.

Treatments for tendonitis are multiple and range from physical therapy exercises to surgery. Each case is unique and depending on the severity of the injury, the lifestyle and the physical condition of the person, one or the other option should be chosen. Below we explain the remedies and treatments for knee tendonitis depending on its severity:

Mild tendonitis

Mild tendinitis usually improves and recovers with rest. Treatment to follow may include:

• Break knee.
• Consume of anti-inflammatory. In this article you will find the best natural anti-inflammatories.
• Application of ice 3 times a day.
• Exercises for tendonitis: physical therapy to strengthen the muscles, squatting -when it does not hurt- and stretching.

Moderate tendonitis

When symptoms are a little more acute, additional care may be required. In depending on which cases you can opt for knee pads or gadgets that restrict movement articulate to avoid overstressing. If the pain is excessive, you can also choose steroid injections.

Severe tendonitis

In the most severe cases, those that do not improve with any other treatment, it may be necessary go under the knife to repair the affected tendon. Once the operation is over, you should rest for a few weeks, restricting joint movement as much as possible and then perform physiotherapy exercises to regain the natural movement of the knee. The return to normality must be progressive, especially in the case of athletes, as a poor recovery will result in a relapse of the injury.

This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.