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Quadriceps Tendonitis The quadriceps tendon is part of the extensor mechanism of the knee. This mechanism consists of the quadriceps muscle group, quadriceps tendon, patella, patellar retinaculum, patellar ligament and various soft tissue in the area. In the United States, knee injuries occur in more than 3 million people every year. Chronic anterior knee pain is common and often is associated with patellar malalignment (an imbalance of patellar posture) and abnormal patellar tracking (abnormal movement of the patella when flexing the knee, commonly associated with anterior knee pain and osteoarthritis). Quadriceps Tendonitis affects the patellar tendon just above the kneecap area. This condition is the painful degeneration of the inside of the quadriceps tendon above the kneecap. A person experiencing quadriceps tendonitis will have particular pain straightening the lower leg, or decelerating when walking. Occasionally other conditions may be associated with quadriceps tendonitis including diabetes, gout, and para-hypothyroidism. Other conditions which can be a cause of anterior knee pain are commonly confused with quadriceps tendonitis. These conditions include patellar tendonitis, synovial plicae, chondromalacia, patello-femoral subluxation and hyper-pressure, fat pad impingement or Hoffa's syndrome and patello-femoral arthritis. Treatment When treating tendonitis of the quadricep, rest the area (meaning do NOT workout this area other than stretching), apply cold compression for 10-20 minutes at a time for at least 3 times a day. Do this to the injured area for the first day up to 3 days. Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy may be used after the acute swelling is improved. Cold compression therapy will reduce initial inflammation and swelling and Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy increases blood flow through the area to speed the healing process. This can be further helped by the use of ultrasound applications over the affected area, as it reduces swelling quickly and increases blood flow to the area, helping the tendon heal more quickly. If the strain is minor, the body may be able to heal the tendon fibers normally. Unfortunately, this is not the usual result because the injured tendon is being used instead of rested. Because of the stress on the tendon, the body heals the injured quadricep tendon fibers by binding them together with fibrotic adhesions or scar tissue. This is done in an attempt to prevent further damage to the injured area. It is a normal protective response of the body.  To prevent this the patient should use ultrasound therapy on the area up to three times daily. Ultrasonic energy will naturally "work" the tendon, increasing its flexibly while softening and breaking down scar tissue - which is not something you want in your tendon. Scar tissue is inflexible (non-elastic), and can quickly lead to re-injury of the tendon later down the road. The trick to any tendon injury is getting it to heal with minimal scar tissue formation and with as much realignment of tendon fibers as possible - something Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy and Therapeutic Ultrasound are great at! Even with optimum healing there is always less elasticity in a previously injured tendon. The trick is to make sure you heal this the best you can, that way your chance of re-injury down the road is much lower than average - which is well over 50%. Otherwise, persistent symptoms will occur, eventually leading to corrective surgery.
| Tendon Injury Facts: When the tendon gets inflamed it is known as tendonitis, and when the tendons are chronically overused, it may lead to microscopic tears in the collagen matrix and causes a gradual weakening of the tissues. Achilles tendonitis is a common injury among runners, as the Achilles tendon is responsible for helping you lift off the ground with each stride. As computers become ever more important elements of the work place and everyday life, incidents of wrist tendonitis are on the rise. Oral Medications can mask the pain but do not aid in the healing of tendonitis. Anti-inflammatories and pain killers can cause tendonitis to worsen. Ice and Compression are the easiest and most effective treatments for tendonitis. Dear MendMeShop, Thank you for your great customer service. Your product is excellent and your quick response to my requests is outstanding. I hope other people take advantage of your ultrasound since it compliments physical therapy and gives quicker results. Rating: Kathryn Hallock Dear MendMeShop, I purchased this product recently for my plantar fasciitis. I've been using it about a week, and it has helped a lot with the pain when I first get out of my bed in the morning. I previously tried something else, that was more like a sock, that pulled the toes, and that only caused pain. This is very comfortable to wear, and I love how much I'm able to adjust it! I would recommend this to anyone! Rating: Bonnie Barber  Dear MendMeShop, I am a Registered Nurse who works straight night shifts and I have had chronic neck, bilateral shoulder and arm pain intermittently for 3 years. I have seen a chiropractor, a neurologist, and physical therapist. I have tingling and numbness in my arms and hands, especially when I push on the pressure points near my elbows. In fact, most or all of the pressure point in my neck, shoulders, and arms hurt when pressed/massaged. The neurologist said it is probably cervical strain, the nerve conduction test was negative. I just saw my primary physician today and she has referred me back to the neurologist to redo the nerve test because I am starting to drop things. I have tried NSAIDs, massage, tens, heating packs, ice packs, stretching exercises, and traction. The only treatment that took the pain and numbness away instantly and thorougly has been MendMeShop Ultrasound massage therapy. Rating: Cheri -           |
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