Tendinitis

If you’re a runner or play sports like basketball or volleyball, you’re at risk of developing patellar tendinitis. Though common, patellar tendinitis can affect your mobility and keep you from your favorite activities if left untreated. At Reflex Knee Specialists, the team of non-surgical knee specialists offers comprehensive care for patellar and quadriceps tendinitis. To make an appointment, call the office in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; or Tempe, Arizona, or book online today.

What is tendinitis?

Tendinitis is a common overuse injury that causes one or more tendons –– tough pieces of tissue that connect muscle to bone –– to become irritated and/or inflamed.

There are several types of tendinitis, but the team at Reflex Knee Specialists focuses on the five tendons around the knee

Patellar tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis causes inflammation of the patella tendon, a band of tissue that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). Anyone can develop patellar tendinitis, but it’s most common in athletes and other active people.

Quadriceps tendinitis

Quadriceps tendinitis causes your thigh muscles to become inflamed, resulting in a dull, throbbing sensation at the front of your knee, just above your kneecap. Like patellar tendinitis, it often occurs due to strenuous exercise.

What are the symptoms of tendinitis?

The symptoms of tendinitis include:

• Pain between your kneecap and shin bone
• Pain that occurs just above your kneecap
• Pain that develops during exercise or after an intense workout
• Pain that interferes with your daily movements

Contact the team at Reflex Knee Specialists if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and they haven’t improved with rest or elevation. That’s especially true if they occur alongside redness, swelling, or joint inflammation.

How is tendinitis diagnosed?

To diagnose knee tendinitis, your Reflex Knee Specialists provider asks about your symptoms, including when the pain started, which activities make it worse, and if it improves with rest. 

Next, they examine your knee, gently applying pressure to identify any tender areas. They also test your knee’s range of motion and stability.  

Your provider will also perform a diagnostic ultrasound to get a closer look at the tendon, the inside of your knee joint, and the surrounding tissues.

How is tendinitis treated?

Treatment of tendinitis depends on various factors, including age and the severity of your symptoms, and how extensive the damage appears on ultrasound assessment. Your Reflex Knee Specialists provider might recommend:

• Rest
• Avoiding Activities that Exacerbate the Pain
• Physical Therapy 
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment directly into the injured tendon
• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• A patellar tendon strap to distribute force away from the tendon

To receive an evaluation and treatment plan for the pain you feel may be due to tendinitis, make an appointment at Reflex Knee Specialists by calling the nearest office or booking online today.