Knee tendonitis is an injury that causes inflammation, irritation or swelling of the tendons of the knee. It’s the most common of possible knee injuries and is usually an overuse injury occurring among athletes or active individuals as a result of overtraining or subjecting the knee to sharp movements or uneven surfaces.
There are actually four types of knee tendonitis – pes anserinus tendonitis, popliteus tendonitis, semimembraneous tendonitis and (perhaps the most well known type) patellar tendonitis. Symptoms of all four types of tendonitis include tenderness, pain and stiffness in the knee area. Mild to moderate cases of this condition are usually treatable using conservative approaches that include rest, icing, physical therapy and (in some cases) cortisone injections.
Knee tendonitis can have different causes depending on the specific type under consideration.
As previously mentioned, patellar tendonitis (also called Jumper’s Knee) is usually brought on by intensive running or jumping, typically among teeenage athletes. The focus of this type of tendonitis is the patellar tendon that connects the kneecap to a point just beneath it and on the shinbone (tibia). This tendon plays a key role in knee extension (the pivotal action of the knee when running or jumping).
Pes anserinus tendonitis (which is actually the most common form of knee tendonitis) is usually the result of intensive running by middle aged individuals. This type of tendonitis usually involves the pesanserinus tendons that are situated just below below the kneecap and on the medial (inner) side of the knee. The role of these tendons is to prevent excessive outward twisting of the leg during the act of running. One of these tendons is the semi membraneous tendon and inflammation of this tendon causes a separate type of tendonitis known as semimembraneous tendonitis.
Popliteus tendonitis affects the popliteus tendons and is the result of excessive inward rolling of the feet (pronation) or of running downhill. This tendon sits behind the knee and towards the lateral (outer) side of the joint.
The main symptoms of knee tendonitis include pain, swelling and stiffness of the knee. The patient may also experience more severe pain when climbing or descending stairs or rising from a seated position. In some cases. the pain may also increase at night.
However, the focus of these problems will be in different areas depending on the type of tendonitis that is present.
Patellar tendonitis causes pain, swelling and stiffness immediately below the knee cap on the anterior (frontal) side of the knee.
Pes anserine tendonits will result in these conditions appearing on the inside of the knee. Semi membraneous tendonitis usually causes them to appear on the inside and back of the joint. Popliteal tendonitis usually causes these problems to appear on the posterior (rear) of the knee.
In most cases of knee tendonitis, rest (i.e. refraining from intensive physical activities and particularly those involving running or jumping) is sufficient to resolve the problem.
In addition to rest, doctors may prescribe:
If the knee tendonitis is severe and resists the conservative approaches described above, surgery may be considered. However, the patient should be careful to thoroughly discuss the long term risks of this option with the surgeon before agreeing to it.
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The McDavid Active Comfort Compression Knee Sleeve is an ultra lightweight knee sleeve that uses tech print technology to deliver outstanding compression, support and stability in a single package.
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The McDavid Hyperblend Knee Sleeve w/Buttress & Stays uses McDavid’s Hyperblend technology together with bilateral aluminium stays and a foam buttress to produce a knee sleeve that is comfortable, low profile and provides pain relief from arthritis and tendonitis.
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The McDavid Knee Sleeve features their exclusive 5-needle stitch for a flatter, cleaner and stronger seam. It also has a seamless back of knee design for added comfort and outer heavy duty nylon fabric for added durability.
Level 1: Primary Protection – Minor support helping to relieve pain and promote healing of tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis and other non-specific knee conditions
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The McDavid Knee Sleeve/4-Way Elastic With Gel Buttress has a 4-way stretch elastic material that allows for increased compression and fit without heat retention.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Moderate support and relief from pain associated with arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis
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The McDavid Knee Sleeve / 4-Way Elastic With Gel Buttresses & Stays has a 4-way stretch elastic material that provides increased compression and a closer fit without heat retention.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Moderate support and relief from pain associated with arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis
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The McDavid Knee Sleeve / Elastic provides compression and soft tissue support. Its elastic construction allows it to breathe for cool knees and is ideal for those with neoprene allergies. Its pull on design facilitates application.
Level 1: Primary Protection – Minor support and pain relief from arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis
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The McDavid Knee Support With Open Patella has an open knee design for added comfort around the patella. This brace also features McDavid’s exclusive 5-needle stitch for a flatter, cleaner and stronger seam.
Level 1: Primary Protection – Minor support helping to relieve pain and promote healing of tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis and other non-specific knee conditions
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The Kneed-It Knee strap relieves minor knee pain commonly associated with arthritis, tendonitis and chondromalacia.