Patellar Tendinitis Treatment


Excellent Video with great excercises






The video provides an in-depth explanation of patellar tendinitis, its causes, symptoms, and a detailed guide on exercises to treat it based on the phase of the injury. Here's a summary emphasizing the theory and benefits:


Theory



Patellar Tendinitis (Tendinopathy):


  1. Definition: Inflammation or injury of the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone. It can occur above (quadriceps tendon) or below (patellar tendon) the kneecap.
  2. Causes:
  3. Mechanical Overload: Repetitive stress that the tendon can no longer handle, leading to inflammation.
  4. Impact Sports: Common in sports like athletics, football, rugby, and weightlifting.
  5. Muscle Weakness: When the quadriceps are not strong enough, the tendon bears excessive load, leading to injury.
  6. Insufficient Rest: Lack of adequate recovery time between training sessions can exacerbate inflammation and lead to chronic tendinitis.


Phases of the Injury:

  1. Acute Inflammatory Phase: Sudden, sharp pain that may hinder walking or climbing stairs.
  2. Progressive Pain Phase: Gradual onset of pain that may initially be ignored but worsens over time.
  3. Chronic Pain Phase: Continuous pain that affects daily activities and sports, making it hard to train or play.
  4. Severe Phase: Persistent pain that significantly limits mobility and activity.



Benefits of the Rehabilitation Exercises



Phase 1: Acute Phase (Isometric Exercises):

  1. Objective: Reduce pain and inflammation.
  2. Exercises:
  3. Hip Flexion with Resistance Band: Strengthens the quadriceps without movement.
  4. Knee Extension with Resistance Band: Focuses on static strength.
  5. Wall Squats with Ball: Maintains muscle contraction in a safe range.







Phase 2: Recovery Phase (Eccentric and Concentric Movements):

  1. Objective: Reintroduce movement without high impact.
  2. Exercises:
  3. Knee Extension with Eccentric Load: Introduces controlled movements to rebuild tendon strength.
  4. Weighted Squats: Gradual load increase to enhance muscle support.
  5. Bulgarian Split Squats: Targets unilateral strength and stability.

Phase 3: Strengthening Phase (Dynamic Movements):

  1. Objective: Increase strength and reintroduce dynamic movements.
  2. Exercises:
  3. Full Range Knee Extensions: Ensures comprehensive muscle engagement.


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  1. Full Range Squats: Improves overall lower body strength.
  2. Dynamic Bulgarian Split Squats: Enhances power and control.





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Phase 4: Sports Readaptation Phase:

  1. Objective: Prepare for return to sport-specific activities.
  2. Exercises:
  3. Max Load Squats: Builds maximum strength.
  4. Single-Leg Squats with Explosive Movements: Enhances explosive power and agility.
  5. Bulgarian Split Squats with Jumps: Develops explosive strength and reaction time.




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Key Recommendations:

  1. Consistency: Perform exercises 3-5 times a week for best results.
  2. Pain Management: Maintain pain levels below 4 out of 10; adjust load if pain increases.
  3. Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Essential to prevent further injury and aid recovery.
  4. Professional Guidance: It's crucial to follow a physiotherapist's advice for tailored treatment.


By following these structured exercises and progressing through the phases, individuals can effectively rehabilitate patellar tendinitis, regain strength, and return to their sport with improved performance and reduced risk of re-injury