Knee injuries are very common in today’s world. One area that knee injuries can occur is the tendons. Tendons are “strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. The tendons in the front of the knee are the quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon. The quadriceps tendon connects to the top of the patella and allows the leg to extend. The patellar tendon connects to the bottom of the kneecap and attaches to the top of the tibia.” (KidsHealth.org)
How do knee tendon injuries happen?
Tendon injuries can range from inflammation of a tendon such as tendonitis, all the way to a torn tendon. Most torn tendons occur from overuse, such as in sports. When that happens, the tendon stretches like a rubber band and becomes inflamed. Tendon injuries also can be caused by trying to break a fall. “If thigh muscles contract, the tendon can tear. This is most likely to happen in older people with weak tendons.” (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
A very common type of knee tendon injury is called tendinitis. Tendinitis of the knee is also known as jumper’s knee. Types of sports such as basketball and volleyball, and sports that require jumping, can cause the tendon to become inflamed or tear.
How do I know if I have a knee tendon injury?
There are various indicators of a knee tendon injury such as:
- Pain and tenderness
- Swelling in the knee joint
- Pain with jumping, running, or walking
- Pain when bending or straightening the leg
- Tenderness behind the kneecap
Types of Treatment
There are various types of treatments for knee tendon injuries. Types of treatments include:
- Rest and modifying your activities
- Taking medication to reduce inflammation and pain, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- Icing the knee
- Elevating the knee on a pillow when sitting or lying down
- Limiting sports activity
- Doing exercises that stretch and strengthen the knee
- For very severe injuries surgery might be needed
References:
1. “What Are Knee Problems?
Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public.” National Institute of Arthritus and musculoskeletal and Skin Deseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Knee_Problems/knee_problems_ff.asp#h
2. “Jumper’s Knee.” KidsHealth.org. http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/jumpers_knee.html
3. “Patellar Tendon Injury (Jumper’s Knee).” Corephysicians.org. http://www.corephysicians.org/news-and-health-library/health-library/injuries/inju3197/
4. “Sports-Related Knee Injuries.” Columbus Regional Health. http://www.crh.org/services/joint-and-spine-center/sports-related-knee-injuries.aspx
Written by: Sharan Kaur, Rust Built, Marketing Services
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