Quadriceps tendonitis is a painfulcondition affecting the quadriceps tendon above the kneecap. The quadriceps group of muscle is the largest in the front of the thigh and is very important for stabilizing the leg. The quadriceps tendon connects the quadriceps to the shin bone (tibia) via the patellar tendon, which encases the knee cap itself. The process known as the quadriceps mechanism involves the patella (knee cap), the patella tendon, the quadriceps and its tendon. They all work together to extend the leg to straight.

Quadriceps tendonitis is caused by repetitive use of this tendon. This condition is most common in an athlete who is in involved in sports that require lots of jumping such as basketball, volleyball and jogging, or in a sport that requires a lot of stopping and starting. Little tears in the tendon and tendon sheath will present as pain and inflammation if these tears are not allowed to heal with rest.

If your Achilles tendon is causing you pain, you are probably walking with less pressure on the injured side. This puts additional pressure on the opposite leg, knee and ankle and can lead to an overuse injury such as quadriceps tendintis or bursitis in the knee.

Quadriceps tendinitis can lead to tenosynovitis if left untreated.

Inflammation in the quadriceps tendon is often due to irritation and/or micro-tearing of the collagen fibers. When the fibers tear, they become weaker, inflamed and swollen causing pain and tenderness in the area.

Other conditions which can be a cause of anterior (front) knee pain are commonly confused with quadriceps tendonitis. These conditions include patellar tendonitis, synovial plicae, chondromalacia, patello-femoral subluxation and hyper-pressure, fat pad impingement or Hoffa’s syndrome and patello-femoral arthritis.

 

Risk Factors for Quadriceps Tendinitis

  • Participating in “jumping” sports such as basketball, volleyball and jogging.
  • Having diabetes, gout or para-hypothyroidism.
  • Age can be a factor because as we grow older our tendons become more brittle and therefore prone to injury.
  • Activities that require sharp, sudden changes of direction or lots of stopping and starting.
  • Mis-alignment of the foot, ankle, and leg including flat feet, leg length discrepancy, tracking abnormalities, etc.

 

Knee Tendon Treatments

It is important to treat tendon injuries as soon as possible, as any activity or strain you put on your knee can re-injure it further. Though the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience of a knee injury can be overwhelming, it’s possible to overcome it.

Allowing an injured tendon torest is always recommended. Avoid all activities that may have caused the injury or irritation and begin cold compression treatments as soon as possible. It is difficult to rest your knee completely as it is essential for walking and daily activities. Fortunately, there are healing tools that can help treat your tendon and speed up the healing process so you can get back to a life without pain and risk of further injury.