Patellar Tendinitis

Hamstring Tendon

The hamstring tendons purpose is to attach the hamstrings to the inside and outside of the knee. The medial hamstrings, semitendonosis, and semimembranosis, insert at the inside of the knee. This is also referred to as the pes-enserines. The lateral hamstring attaches to the outside of the knee at the tibia and fibula. The hamstring’s primary role is to bend the knee and straighten the hip, making them an essential component to walking, running, and jumping.

Hamstring Tendinitis Causes

Common causes of hamstring tendinitis:

• Repetitive activities such as running, jumping, or kicking.
• Sudden and frequent deceleration, acceleration, or stopping;
• A rapid increase in frequency or intensity of exercise or training.
• Improper running technique or training on hard surfaces;
• Weakness in the hamstring muscle causes the tendons to endure more strain;
• Poor pelvic alignment;
• Obesity increases the stress on an individual’s hamstring tendons.

Mild Cases

In mild cases many patients found that rest, ice and medication were enough to stop (or at least reduce) the pain. Your return to activity should be gradual to prevent a flare-up of symptoms, and if symptoms continue it is advised to see a pain management specialist for a more specific diagnosis.

Moderate to Severe Cases

If the pain and inflammation persist, you should consult with your health care provider. Your pain management specialist should then perform a thorough evaluation to determine what tendon(s) are involved, the severity of the knee tendinitis, and finally the best course of treatment.

Medicine Intervenes

Avoiding the activities that produce the pain or stress of the involved tendon is the first line of treatment.

• RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression Elevation should be used to alleviate the stress on the bursa;
• NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to minimize pain and swelling;
• Injection of steroids may be prescribed to minimize inflammation of the tendon;
• Immobilization or bracing may benefit the tendon and promote healing;
• In extreme conditions, surgery may be necessary in order to repair the tendon.

Prognosis

Normally, patients respond well to conservative treatment of knee tendinitis. PLEASE NOTE: that once the pain and swelling are reduced and the individual’s motion and strength are restored the patient should gradually return to full mobility and function. In general, full return to all activity will take anywhere from two to six weeks depending on the severity of the injury. As a preventive measure individuals should:

• Warm-Up: warming up prior to physical activity is necessary for preparing muscles and tendons for any work required of them. A five to ten-minute warm-up raises the body temperature and increases the circulation to the muscles and tendons and raises your heart rate. Elevating your body temperature and increasing the circulation will also help allow the muscles and tendons to be pliable and stretch with ease.
• Stretching: stretching before and after any activities will reduce the probability of developing tendinitis. Stretching will improve and maintain the elasticity of the muscles and tendons. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds and do NOT bounce while stretching. Remember, as tendons age, they lose their flexibility. This is simply part of the natural aging process.
• Strength: participating in a strength program will help muscles maintain enough strength to absorb the stress placed on them. Just running or participating in a sport will not prepare the muscles for the impact forces involved in many strenuous activities. As people age, they naturally become weaker, and a great way to combat this weakness is through a strength program.
• Training: avoid sudden increases in your training regimen. Training progress should be gradually increased to avoid injury, especially if diagnosed with tendinitis previously.
• Foot Wear: When weight-bearing or taking part in impact activities, proper footwear is imperative to minimize impacts and distribute forces properly.