What is Tendinitis of the Knee?

Tendinitis of the knee is when the tendons around the knee get inflamed or irritated. The knee has two main tendons:

• Patellar Tendon: Connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). It helps you straighten your knee and is important for standing, walking, running and jumping.
• Quadriceps Tendon: Located just above the kneecap, it connects the muscles in the front of your thigh (the quads) to the kneecap. This tendon helps extend your knee and is crucial for walking, jumping, and running.

Who Gets Tendinitis?

• Athletes: It’s common in sports that involve a lot of jumping or running, like volleyball, basketball, football, soccer and lacrosse.
• Teenagers and Young Adults: It often affects athletes in their teens and 20s.
• Recreational Athletes: People who play sports or exercise intensely without proper conditioning.
• People with Certain Conditions: Taller or heavier people, those with older age, prior injuries, foot misalignment, or metabolic diseases like diabetes.
• Men: Tendinitis is more common in men than in women.

What Causes Tendinitis?

Tendinitis usually happens because of repetitive stress on the knee, such as:

• Overusing the knee with activities like running or jumping.
• Poor technique or muscle imbalances.
• Wearing improper footwear.

Symptoms of Tendinitis

• Pain: Aching pain in the front of the knee, usually below the kneecap (patellar tendinitis aka jumpers knee) or above it (quadriceps tendinitis). The pain often improves with rest.
• Swelling: Noticeable swelling around the knee.
• Pain with Movement: Pain can return with activities like sitting for long periods, squatting, or climbing stairs.
• Chronic Pain: If not treated, the pain can become constant and interfere with daily activities and sleep.

How is Tendinitis Diagnosed?

A doctor will diagnose knee tendinitis based on:

• Medical History: Your past medical history and activities.
• Physical Exam: Checking your knee for pain and swelling around the patellar or quadriceps tendons.
• Imaging Tests:
  • Ultrasound: Helps to see inflammation in the tendons.
  • MRI: Can confirm chronic irritation and show the extent of damage.

By understanding these details, you can better recognize and manage knee tendinitis.