Patellar Tendon Surgery

What is the patellar tendon?

The patellar tendon is a thick band of tissue that attaches organized the patella (kneecap) to the tibia (shin bone). It plays a crucial role in transmitting forces generated by the muscles of the thigh (quadriceps) to the tibia so that the leg can be straightened and support our weight for walking or jumping. The patellar tendon to the quadriceps muscle, quadriceps tendon, patella and surrounding tissue (retinacula) constitute the knee extensor mechanism. The patellar tendon is composed of a highly organized arrangement of collagen are organized to resist longitudinal tensile strength as a string.

What is the patellar tendinitis?

Patellar tendinitis is defined as inflammation of the patellar tendon, and occurs most often at the root just below the kneecap. The most common cause is overuse or repetitive injuries, and it has been reported to occur in almost every sport athletes. However, the activities of particularly high jump place strains on the tendon and the condition is more common among basketball players, tennis players, players of volleyball, athletics and football players. With repetitive jumping, small, often "microscopic" wounds and tear of the tendon can occur. The chronic injury and healing response results in inflammation and localized pain. Famous elite athletes, including Brandon Inge of the Tigers, Mets Oliver Perez, and tennis star Rafa Nadal fought with tendinitis chronic patellar during their career. Rarely, an acute patellar tendonitis may develop in response to a single traumatic event and should raise concern about a ruptured tendon partial or complete.

What are the symptoms of patellar tendinitis in athletes?

The diagnosis of patellar tendinitis is usually simple. The pain is reproduced by palpation of the area of inflammation and injury. It is most often the lower pole of the patella, but it can occur anywhere along the course of the tendon. Compared to the opposite normal knee, the tendon is often swollen and often hot to the touch. Depending on the severity, the athlete may have significant pain with jumping or kneeling. Up and down the stairs can also place heavy loads of the extensor mechanism and exacerbate the pain.

X-rays are sometimes helpful in assessing other causes of knee pain, but are generally normal with patellar tendinitis. If the patellar tendon is ruptured, the ball moving "up" and the distance between the patella and tibia is greater than normal (patella alta). Ultrasound and MRI are both sensitive and specific identification and location of the patellar tendinitis the field of "micro-injury 'tendon.

What may increase my risk of patellar tendinitis in an athlete?

The cause of patellar tendinitis in athletes is often multifactorial. However, some factors that may increase the risk of this injury include:

aec The abuse, especially with recurring activities jump.
aec The lack of conditioning or stretching - an abnormal length-tension relationship and the compliance of the thigh and calf muscles may increase tension on the patellar tendon and increase the risk of injury.
aec Obesity - a slight increase in weight dramatically in place increased stress on the patella and extensor mechanism. In fact, a gain of one pound can occur from August to October of pounds more force on the knee in certain activities.
aec patella alta - a kneecap position "above normal" can increase tension and the risk of injury to the patellar tendon.

Athletes may prevent patellar tendonitis?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to ant.