Tendonitis is a relatively common complaint, especially among athletes who participate in jumping sports, such as basketball and volleyball. There are two main types of tendonitis that affect the knees: Patellar tendonitis and hamstring tendonitis.
Patellar tendonitis refers to an injury to the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. You use this tendon every time you straighten your knee. Patella tendonitis typically manifests as pain right below the kneecap, although it may be felt on the side of the kneecap, in front of the kneecap, or even behind the kneecap in some cases. Patella tendonitis normally does not cause swelling of the knee, or an inability to flex or fully extend the knee. If you suspect you may be afflicted with patella tendonitis, you should seek medical advice sooner rather than later. The tendon will continue to weaken with use and the longer you wait, the weaker your knee will become.
Hamstring tendonitis occurs when the tendon that connects the hamstring muscle to the outer part of the knee becomes damaged or inflamed due to the application of excessive strain or force, or failure to sufficiently perform warmup exercises. Symptoms include pain at the back of the knee and thigh, which increases over time or when resuming activity, as well as swelling and inflammation, and aching or stiffness after completing activity.
Employ the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) for the first 72 hours after being injured. Rest is a crucial part of hamstring tendonitis treatment, not only because it allows the body time to heal, but also because it avoids the possibility of incurring further damage. Applying ice to the affected area will help to reduce any swelling and inflammation and also provide cooling pain relief to the injury.