Treatments for Patellar Tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis occurs when an individual injures the tendon that links the knee to the shin. This tendon, known as the patellar tendon, is important in the use of the legs. It is used when riding a bike, jumping or kicking. For the most part, this condition mostly affects athletes, such as basketball players, who jump around a lot.

Recovery

• An injury to the patellar tendon may take a long time to heal. While most injuries will resolve with modest home care, sometimes the pain can linger for months or weeks. If the injury lasts up to a year, a person may have to undergo surgery to correct the problem. Pain lasting up to six months is considered normal. Beyond that, you will probably have to speak with your doctor.

Basic Treatment

• Resting the tendon is the most effective way to a speedy recovery. While this does not mean keeping off the leg completely, jumping and running should be eliminated entirely. Learning how to properly use the muscles when healthy is key to prevent a second injury. Stretching the leg before use is also a good way to avoid strain on the tendon. It is good to know how to prevent another injury because a second time usually takes longer to heal than the first.

More Basic Treatment

• Physical therapy is another helpful measure in the healing process. By doing manual exercises to strengthen the patellar tendon, you can also limit the amount of time needed to heal. It is also recommended to work on the quadriceps muscles to take the pressure off the patellar tendon. One way to relieve pain during the healing process is to use a patellar strap, which helps divert force from the tendon by applying pressure to the area. Finally, massage is another way to promote healing.

Surgery

• If none of the above treatments seem to be effective for patellar tendinitis and the pain continues, you may have to get surgery. There is no standard procedure in this situation, so the doctor will base his method on the severity and location of the injury. The surgeon will either attempt to repair the injured tendon or remove parts that are too badly damaged. Recovery takes six to 12 months and complete recovery is never guaranteed.

Other Options

• There are other options that you may wish to take when dealing with patellar tendinitis. One is taking medication. Though it is not certain which pain medication helps with the condition, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may alleviate pain. There is concern that taking corticosteroids will weaken the tendon. Another type of therapy available is extracorporeal shock wave therapy which uses sound waves to heal the tendon. Though there is no concrete evidence yet of efficacy, this therapy has supporters who claim it can help with patellar tendinitis.