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Quadricept Patella Tendonitis Alternative Medicine

Quadricep tendonitis is an overuse injury that usually occurs when there is more stress placed on the quadricep tendon than the tendon is able handle; this stress causes micro-tears in the tendon, which results in inflammation and pain. Quadricep tendonitis is commonly seen in activities that require running, jumping, starting and stopping. Standard treatment for tendonitis is rest, ice, compression, elevation and anti-inflammatories, followed by a stretching and strengthening program. Alternative treatments for the condition include prolotherapy and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

  1. Prolotherapy

    • Prolotherapy is a procedure that stimulates the body's own healing response through inflammation. Inflammation ultimately deposits new collagen (the material tendons are made of) into an injured area. As the new collagen matures, it shrinks, and in the process, tightens injured tendons, making them stronger and relieving pain. To administer prolotherapy, a practitioner uses an ultrasound to locate and mark the tears in the tendon. The area is then sterilized, and a local anesthetic injected into the marked tears, followed by a mild irritant (sugar solution) to create the inflammatory response. Once the inflammatory response is stimulated, the healing takes place. Most conditions require three to six treatments. Treatments can be between four to six weeks apart. Side effects of the treatment include the inflammatory response the injections are supposed to create, bruising and pain at the injection site.

    Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

    • Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a cutting edge therapy that uses the body's own platelets to heal ligament and tendon tears faster than the body can do on its own. Platelets have a high concentration of growth factors, which enhance tissue recovery. To administer a PRP treatment, a practitioner performs an ultrasound in the area to identify and mark the tears in the tendon. The area is then sterilized and blood is drawn. The blood is then placed in a special machine that separates out the platelets. The platelets are drawn into a syringe with the appropriate gauge and length of needle, and with the use of an ultrasound, a local anesthetic is injected into each of the marked areas, followed by the injection of platelets. How often and how many treatments are given depends on the practitioner and how well the patient recovers from the treatment.

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