Chronic Patella Tendonitis

[murrifullah]

I used to play AFL until I began to suffer from the above condition. I have suffered constantly with this since around 1998. I have had knee surgeons tell me i just need physio, had physio's tell me I need orthotics, had one pediatrists tell me it should eventually fix itself, had a GP try cortesone injections. I've also had a sports physician tell me its a 'career ending injury' and there's nothing i can do. Another pediatrist, specialising in sports injuries, recently reassessed my orthotics and became quite agitated that a sports physician would tell me it was a 'career ending injury' and said with rehabilitation on the muscles supporting the knee and some work on my gait it should heal. Its been 6 months since then, the muscles of my lower quad region are stronger, and the knee can take more load, however, i still cannot run for longer than 20mins without pain. Is there anything more I can? Will I be able to run again pain free? Does anybody have an answer i can trust?
HELP!:confused:

[Syd Uni sports clinic]

It can be a (football) career ending injury, but (if this doesn't sound like a contradiction) it can be cured. Tendons DO have the ability to heal (it's just whether they actually do being another issue).

I'd brush the idea of further cortisone. I'd complete a VISA form to give yourself a current score and work up gradually. There is a lot on this site on patella tendinopathy, so do a search and read about nitrate patches, aprotinin, polidocanol as alternate treatments. Do calf and gluteal strengthening, get yourself a decline board and do eccentric (down only) squats.

At least there is still some hope if the problem hasn't driven you mad yet!

[fourplay]

It might come down to running mechanics and the way your feet are striking the ground sending a shockwave through your body.

Try running in barefeet on grass and landing on the balls of your feet... I would only do this on a nice safe grass ground, or grass athletics track, there might be one near where you live.. school ovals are normally safe ground too. Let the pain subside and then run barefeet on grass on the front of your feet. If the pain doesn't come back we can probably say its due to ur shoes or running technique.

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

I can appreciate how frustrating it must be. Half the battle is finding the right people to treat you. I have suffered from patella instability for about 10 years which has been complicated by the fact that I have loose ligaments. It was only about 5 years ago that I really found all the right people to treat me. I go to some great sports physicians at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre in Melbourne called Andrew Jowett and Chris Bradshaw. They both love challenges and am sure they'd be able to help you. I understand that tendons take longer to heal, but am sure there is something that will help. It's all about getting the right advice.

In Melbourne I also go to a great physio called Randall Cooper, who is also based at Olympic Park. My knee surgeon, Julian Feller also consults there once a week. They all communicate well as a team. Julian is very conservative and will only operate if necessary. I did physio for a year before having my first lot of surgery.

Good luck and let us know how you go !

[murrifullah]

Thanks guys for the advice so far, it's been quite beneficial. Am currently on a strength and conditioning program to develop the muscles around the knee, as well as other programs to assist with my gait to lower the impact on my knees when walking and jogging. Things feel like they're on the improve. :)