You’ve been struggling with knee pain lately. You’ve tried doing a little research and you think you are dealing with quadriceps tendon pain. The quadricep tendon is the tendon that wraps around your knee cap, otherwise referred to as the patella. It attaches your quadriceps (the muscle in your thigh) to the bone in your lower leg. If this is strained, quadriceps tendon pain can result. You might think you overdid it in a workout. What you might not realize is that you may have a more serious problem. You could be dealing with quadriceps tendonitis or an injury.
What is Quadriceps Tendonitis?
Quadriceps tendonitis results when the quadriceps tendon becomes inflamed. Your talking about more than mild irritation. You are dealing with a chronic problem that won’t go away without treatment. Overuse of the quadriceps muscle is the main culprit. If you do exercises that put a great deal of pressure on your knees, such as running or jumping, you could be prone to this problem. You could also face quadricep tendonitis if you run on a hard surface or you wear footwear that isn’t supportive enough. Pain in your lower thigh, especially after you exercise, is the main symptom. You may also may experience swelling. The area above your knee may be warm to the touch. Your condition could be a mild nuisance or it could be so extreme that it keeps you from doing the sports you love. It could also get in the way of daily activities.
What Can You Do about Quadriceps Tendonitis?
You may need to take a combination approach to treat the problem. Rest is the first step. Taking anti-inflammatory medication can also be helpful. Physical therapy may be recommended. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damages to your quadriceps tendon.
You May be Dealing with More than Inflammation
While quadriceps tendonitis is more common, in rare cases you may have a torn quadriceps tendon. If the damage is too extreme to heal on its own, surgery and physical therapy could be your best option. You could also have problems such as a build up of calcium deposits or damage to the patella itself. A thorough evaluation from a knee specialist can help you to determine why you are struggling with pain.
Talk to Your Doctor about Quadriceps Tendon Pain
If you have tried to resolve quadriceps tendon pain on your own with periods of rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers without success, we encourage you to make an appointment with Plymouth Bay Orthopedic Associates. At our convenient locations in Plymouth, Duxbury and Sandwich, our caring team of dedicated professionals will be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!