A very common condition that people are faced with is knee pain. Knee pain, also called patella tendonitis, is a form of inflammation due to overworking that joint in the body. This condition is important to treat because if the condition is left untreated, many sufferers will continue to place undue stress on the injured area that could turn into chronic knee pain.

What is Patella Tendonitis?

The knee joint is a ball-and-socket joint as the patella tendon protects it from becoming unstable. Usually, patella tendonitis is seen in athletes who play in repetitive jumping sports such as basketball, volleyball and track & field. At first, knee pain begins as an irritation of the cartilage behind the patella tendon, then it shifts to the front portion of the joint in the form of severe swelling.

Many suffering from this injury seek immediate relief due to the intense sensation and chronic soreness of the patella tendon. Some will attempt to extend their injured leg out in a straight position, while others will seek treatment from a chiropractor.

Using Chiropractor to Treat Patella Tendonitis

With good chiropractic care, patella tendonitis can be healed and limit the chances of re-injuring the knee once again. But, the significance of the injury must be confirmed first before a chiropractor can devise a treatment plan. They must rule out other possible causes for the knee pain, such as the beginning stages of arthritis developing inside the joint. This can be accomplished by requesting a CAT scan or an MRI to confirm their original diagnosis.

The goal of all treatment plans is to address the cause of patella tendonitis. Each rehabilitation session will begin with an electrical muscle stimulation process before the chiropractor begins manual trigger point therapy on the injured knee. This consist of applying hand pressure on the area for a few seconds before the chiropractor stretches the injured joint afterwards. It’s all about loosening the patella tendon and reducing the inflammation inside the knee.

For minor patella tendonitis, your treatment will include icing the injured joint several times during the day and partaking in an exercise program that strengthens the quad muscles in the back of the leg. Joint manipulation may be prescribed as well for those patients who have diminished mobility.

The above treatment plans should decrease patella tendonitis, inflammation and constant knee pain in approximately three weeks, but it will take six weeks before the injury is fully healed. The final three weeks of rehab is breaking down the scar tissue that has formed inside the knee. Your chiropractor may use ultrasound to soften the scar tissue before massaging the region to increase circulation to the injured joint. This helps to regain flexibility and lessens the chance of re-injuring your patella tendon once again.

If you’re looking for relief from patella tendonitis, then schedule an appointment with our chiropractor at Jex Family Chiropractic. There we will evaluate and discuss your treatment options.