Knee Tendonitis Will Stop You In Your Tracks

Knee Tendonitis

Do you have inflammation or pain in your knee joint?

Have you wondered about tendonitis and how this effects your knee? Severe knee tendonitis is an injury typically seen in individuals who participate in sporting activities on a regular basis. This is a condition that occurs when the tendons that make up part of knee joint become inflamed.
The knee is protected behind a plate of bone known as the patella (your kneecap). There are two main tendons that are part of the knee. These tendons connect the patella to two separate parts of the leg. The quadriceps are the upper thigh muscles and the shinbone is the lower leg bone. Both of these parts of the leg are connected to the patella by the knee tendons.

Different Forms Of Tendonitis

Patellar Tendonitis – Patellar Tendonitis is generally caused by overuse of the quadriceps muscles. Activities such as running and jumping exert strain on the quadriceps. Engaging in too much of these activities can cause inflammation of the tendons connecting the quadriceps to the patella. In this form of tendonitis, pain occurs below the knee, in the patellar tendon.

Quadriceps Tendonitis – Quadriceps Tendonitis is also typically caused by overuse of the quadriceps. Unlike Patellar Tendonitis, however, this form of tendonitis is characterized by pain above the knee.

The types of activities that generally cause both of these forms of tendonitis are the same, however.

Treatment of Severe Knee Tendonitis

Treatment of severe knee tendonitis tends to be drawn out compared to most other knee injury treatments. This is due to the fact that muscles usually have more elasticity that than of our tendons.

Tendons also get less blood from your bloodstream, compared to muscles. What this basically comes down to is that your injured tendons can take longer to heal compared to an injured muscle. After the initial period of the injury, it is important to carefully stretch the tendons as they heal to improve their elasticity (see your physician on details about stretching).

Failure to do so will render the tendons much less elastic than before and more prone to further injury.

Prevention of Severe Knee Tendonitis

One of the most important things you can do to prevent severe knee tendonitis is to stretch the whole body including the knees before any form of physical activity. Stretching gives the muscles greater flexibility during exercise, allowing them to absorb more impact and twisting motions. This greatly reduces the chances of sustaining tendonitis.

Another effective preventive strategy is to wear knee braces while exercising. A knee support helps to provide meaningful support as it fits over your leg.

Knee braces help prevent the knees from slipping into awkward positions that are likely to sprain or strain the knees. They also help to support you from the impact of running and jumping, easing the strain on the joint.

A knee support can also help keep your knee warm and will remind you, if not stop you, from making excessive and painful movements.

If you think you could benefit from a reduction in knee pain or improved stability then you should consider one of these supports today. These supports are very effective and should always be considered into your treatment plan.

***Click image below to learn more about knee tendonitis pain relief***

Relieves joint pain due to arthritis and tendonitis

Relieves joint pain due to arthritis and tendonitis

Who is Most at Risk for Hamstring Tendonitis?

Hamstring Tendonitis

Hamstring Tendonitis involves an aching pain in one or both legs, in the area immediately above the knee, the biceps and often on the back of the upper legs.

This form of tendonitis, the inflammation of the tendons that connect the body’s muscles to the bone, is most often present in runners and athletes who participate in track and field sports. Hamstring tendonitis is sometimes mistaken for simple soreness of muscles after a strenuous workout, or a marathon.

As with other forms of tendonitis, the most common symptoms of this condition include soreness, pain and a decrease in mobility. Hamstring tendonitis may also cause noticeable swelling in the area around the knee cap. Some patients have observed that the pain is worse at night and that it also increases during physical activity.

When do People Develop This Condition?

Although age is an important factor and anyone can develop hamstring tendonitis, the people most susceptible to this condition are those who have recently started a vigorous, new exercise routine after an extended period of relative inactivity.

Additionally, athletes, especially runners, who regularly train on hard surfaces, are more likely to develop hamstring tendonitis. This is why it is better to run, or jog on specially developed tracks, rather than on concrete roads or pavement.

What are the Treatment Options for Hamstring Tendonitis?

The best treatment for hamstring tendonitis involves natural, non-invasive solutions. Like with most sport injuries, it is helpful to apply ice to the affected area in order to reduce both the swelling and pain. If the pain persists, it is best to use non-prescription medications, such as Motrin, Tylenol or Advil.

The most important, however, is not to engage in strenuous physical activity or work-outs until the symptoms of hamstring tendonitis subside. Additionally, the patient’s return to physical activity should occur gradually, over an extended period of time, in order not to irritate the affected tendons.

There are also a number of precautions one can take in order to avoid future episodes of tendonitis. It is important to always warm up and to stretch the muscles prior to physical activities, such as running and also to allow for a cooling off period immediately following any type of exercise.

Avoiding running or jogging on rigid surfaces will also help runners avoid extra, unnecessary strain on muscles in the legs. Additionally, athletes should always avoid strenuous physical activity when their muscles still feel sore from previous work-outs.

***Click the image below to learn more about hamstring tendonitis pain relief***

Relieves joint pain due to arthritis and tendonitis

Relieves joint pain due to arthritis and tendonitis