Quadriceps Tendinitis is an overuse injury affecting the tendon that connects the large quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh to the top of the kneecap. This tendon is essential for extending the knee and absorbing impact during activities like running or jumping.
Pain is typically felt just above the kneecap.
Superior Knee Pain: You will feel tenderness and aching at the base of the thigh, where the muscle meets the top of the patella.
Pain with Extension: Discomfort often increases when you straighten your leg against resistance or when you squat deeply.
Post-Exercise Stiffness: The tendon may feel tight or painful after sitting for a long time or when waking up in the morning.
Visible Changes: In chronic cases, you might notice slight swelling or a thickened appearance of the area just above the kneecap.
A clinical assessment focuses on identifying the specific point of irritation and ruling out other front-of-knee issues.
Physical Exam
Ultrasound Imaging: This allows us to see the thickness of the tendon and identify any areas of degeneration or small internal tears.
MRI: An MRI may be ordered if the pain is severe or if we need to assess the deeper layers of the tendon and the underlying bone.
Treatment centers on reducing the immediate load and then systematically rebuilding the tendon's strength.
Relative Rest: This involves modifying your training to avoid activities that cause sharp pain while staying active in ways that do not irritate the tendon.
Ice and Compression: Applying ice to the top of the knee after activity can help manage localized inflammation.
Stretching: Gentle stretching of the quadriceps and hip flexors can help reduce the constant tension pulling on the tendon.
Physical Therapy: Isometric loading and progressive strengthening
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections can be considered