Pain where patellar tendon joins tibia

[kneegah]

I have pain where the patellar tendon joins the tibia in my left knee. I've had this pain for years now and had an op a year ago (after conservative physiotherapy failed) to remove an 'ossicle' of bone from the tendon, which appeared to be scar tissue. I was hoping this would solve the issue, but it appears not to have.

I'm in my late 30s and played football once a week until this injury stopped me from playing 2 years ago. I am right footed - pain is in my left. I played again recently, but the pain has returned with a vengeance. From past experience it will deteriorate the next time I play and I will in fact have to stop as it is too painful and my knee buckles.

My condition has been likened to Osgood Schlatter disease, but since I developed this in my 30s it is not that. I'm a bit overweight, partly because exercise is limited for me due to my bad knee - I imagine being a bit lighter would certainly help.

I have exercises I can do to build up the strength in the surrounding muscles, but I am wondering how that will make a difference if the weak point is through the patellar tendon attachment to the tibia - how is this supported by strengthening the muscles?

Football particularly seems to aggravate this injury due to the stopping and starting. My left leg often has to bear my weight while I play the ball with my right.

I would like to be able to manage this condition so that I can play football again. I have a gym membership and can do exercises regularly if they will help (rather than exacerbate). One of my fears is that the tendon will come off the bone completely - I assume the pain is telling me something!

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Heidi]

Hi
I believe that strengthening the quad muscles gradually is more about getting the patella tendon used to the kind of forces it will be submitted to in sporting activities. Strengthening the quads will also strengthen the patella tendon.
Pain is definately telling you something. Generally it is a warning sign that something is not right and so you shouldn't try to play through it.
Have you tried a patella tendon strap? This may help to take some of the strain off it. Here is an example:
http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Supports_And_Braces/Knee_Supports/jumperknee992

[kneegah]

Hi,

For some reason it didn't occur to me that the patellar tendon could be strengthened by exercise as well - I guess I assumed that the exercises would just aggravate the injury. I will continue to try and do exercises to strengthen it, although I was unable to do quad extensions in the gym last week it was so sore. I think I need to do gentler strengthening exercises to gradually build it up.

It's feeling much better than it was a few days ago. Before my op it would remain sore for weeks so hopefully it is improving. I don't suppose it helps that I play football on an all-weather surface which is pretty solid.

I'm playing again tonight - hopefully it will be ok! I have one of those knee straps - I'll have to dig it out from wherever it is.

Thanks