All about knee tendonitis
Your knee joint permits a limited variety of functional movements. There are various muscles around the knee joint which assist in its functional activities and one of these muscles – a short muscle – is found at the back of your knee joint.
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This short muscle plays an important function as a stabilizer of the knee. The muscle assists in bending the leg backwards to touch the back of the thigh.
It also provides movement coupled with stability especially in movements such as running, climbing stairs etc.
At the end of the muscle is a tough cord which attaches itself to the leg bone. These tough cords also assist in the movement of the knee.
This muscle is vulnerable to damage during activities which may necessitate placing your feet down whilst you turn your torso/trunk for example in activities such as football or basketball.
Strenuous activities usually may cause the muscle or tough cords to become overloaded and the area may also become painful. Damage to the tough cords of this short muscle may cause it to be stretched out or torn.
There are varying degrees to which the tough cords of the muscle may be damaged.
In one instance, damage may only cause pain, without it being stretched and the individual may be able to perform functional activities despite the pain/discomfort.
In another situation, the tough cords may be stretched out or partially torn. This may cause considerable pain and a reduced level of function in the knee joint.
The final instance is when the tough cords are completely torn and this results in a highly functional limitation in the knee joint and hence, you may not be able to engage in your daily activities.
Signs, symptoms of knee tendonitis
An individual with this condition may have the following symptoms;
• The individual experiences a gradual onset of pain/ discomfort/ tightness in the back of the knee joint. Sometimes you may also feel pain on the side of your knee joint.
This pain or discomfort may worsen whenever you stand or slightly bend your knee.
• There is decreased movement in the knee joint
• In some rare instances a crackling sound may be heard in the affected knee
• Tightness may also develop in the knee as a result of pain and a limitation in movement.
What causes knee tendonitis?
This condition usually comes about as a result of a prolonged period of repeated strain or stress on the knee joint. It’s unlike other injuries, which may be caused by an abrupt trauma or incident.
The repetitive pressure placed on the tough cords of this short muscle causes progressive damage over a period of time resulting in pain. The body reacts to this damage by forming substances around the injured tendon in an attempt to repair it.
If the stress on the muscle or tendon is not removed or altered, the tendon does not obtain enough time to fully recover or restore its previous state hence the damage becomes pronounced with an ensuing dip in strength and flexibility in the knee joint.
At this point you may realise that you find it difficult to fully move your leg as it begins to feel tight and weak. The improper alignment of your joints - hip, knee and foot - may also predispose you to this condition.
When the appropriate muscles around the hip and foot do not function or work properly, it forces the muscles around the knee to work harder than it typically would. Therefore in your usual routine of running, the muscles around the knee joint have to work hard to provide the needed stability and movement.
Other risk factors
• Individuals who usually engage in activities which require a lot of running or walking down a slope are more predisposed to this condition.
• Also, individuals with weakness and a decreased level of flexibility in the leg may develop this condition.
• Failure to warming-up before participating in sporting activities or before you perform your exercise regime each day
• The foot has a normal arch which provides stability for the leg whenever you stand, walk or run. Individuals with a loss of this arch are more prone to the condition.
How is it diagnosed?
The individual undergoes a thorough examination or assessment of the affected knee. Your knee is checked for pain, loss of function, movement and swelling.
Slight pressure may be placed on your knee to find out exactly where you may be hurting. The diagnosis of the condition is confirmed by performing further investigations.
The imaging tests that you may be required to take include X-rays which assist in ruling out other conditions that may be causing your knee pain such as a broken bone.
An ultrasound or MRI may also be conducted to confirm diagnosis.