Tendinitis occurs when inflammation in a tendon, a structure that connects muscles and bones, is often accompanied by irritation and swelling. This condition is quite common and can occur in any part of the body, with the areas of the main joints such as the elbows, wrists, hips, shoulders, and knees being more sensitive.
It can occur for various reasons, such as accidents or repetitive use of the joint, among other causes, which is why it is common in athletes and people who work with the repetitive movement of these joints. In addition, some diseases can make a person more prone to this problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
In the case of the knee, the most common is patellar tendonitis, which occurs in the tendons related to the patella and the surrounding muscles. Still, this inflammation in the inner part of the knee is also joint. We are known as goosefoot tendonitis. Luckily, it is usually a temporary problem. However, it can last a long time, but it must be treated well so that complications do not occur and the underlying disease that is causing it. In this FastlyHealarticle, we tell you all the details about knee tendonitis, the symptoms, and the natural treatment.
Table of Contents
Causes of knee tendonitis
Knowing the main reasons this inflammation occurs in the knee tendons is essential to correct this problem better and even prevent it from recurring after overcoming it. Thus, the leading causes of tendinitis of the knee and tendinitis of the goosefoot that occurs in the inner part of this joint are as follows:
- Bumps, trauma, or injuries from sudden or improper movement, falls, or accidents.
- Tread problems because by incorrectly loading the weight on the knee joint and the soles of the feet, the muscles and tendons of this joint are overloaded.
- Practice some sports in which there is a high involvement of this joint, it is an impact sport for this area of the leg, and there is a lot of flexion of it, such as exercises that involve jumping, running, and possibly receiving some impact on it.
- The advancement of age implies wear and tear and naturally aging joints, and the appearance of problems in them.
- Some diseases such as osteoarthritis or arthritis make it much easier to develop tendinitis in the patella area and on the inner side of the joint. Still, they also have symptoms of inflammation and pain in other joints, such as those of the hands.
- Problems in the pelvis, such as pathological reflexes and pain in this area due to issues in the ovaries or the prostate, as well as issues in the lumbar region, are also one of the leading causes of this inflammation in the tendons as these areas must be connected to the knee and generally cause the goosefoot problem.
Symptoms of knee tendonitis
The signs that can alert us that we suffer from this problem will vary according to the severity of it because if it is a mild condition, we will indeed only feel discomfort or some pain when using this joint frequently, for example, when running, walking for a while, walking brisk walking or dancing, but if it is something more serious, just by moving your knee a little we will feel a lot of pain. The main symptoms of knee tendonitis are as follows:
- Discomfort and mild pain when exercising this area in mild cases. It usually occurs just below the kneecap.
- Pain when trying to flex the knee occurs in moderate and severe cases.
- Stiffness and inability to flex the joint.
- Inflammation, swelling, and redness of the skin, especially in the lower part of the knee.
- Sensitivity and discomfort to the touch of this area.
- Pain in the quadriceps due to overuse due to inability to walk correctly.
- Weakness in the affected leg.
- Difficulty maintaining balance.
- Night pain in the area during the acute phases of this condition.
Natural treatment for knee tendonitis
In addition to following the treatment with medications indicated by the doctor, among which there will be anti-inflammatories, we can follow some guidelines to improve the condition by following some home remedies and natural treatments for knee tendonitis :
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
This technique is known by its acronym in English as RICE and tries to fulfill these four indications:
- Allow the affected joint to rest or rest, which implies reducing activity a lot, and if you do some exercise, that is gentle swimming, because, in the water, the joint can relax and release tension.
- Apply ice or something cold wrapped in a cloth for a few seconds or a maximum of 3 minutes, reducing the inflammation.
- Doing a bandage or compression without over-tightening will help reduce swelling and immobilize the joint, not force it and allow a faster recovery. It is essential to remove the application to enable a better rest and change it two times a day.
- Keeping the affected leg elevated above the heart level is necessary to allow adequate blood circulation to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It is recommended to stretch out on a bed or sofa and place cushions under your foot or leg.
Baths with sea salt and apple cider vinegar
These two natural ingredients are very anti-inflammatory, and apple cider vinegar is active in circulation and has muscle relaxant properties. To use them, you must prepare a bath with these ingredients and do it two times a day until you notice improvement. Bring half a liter of water to a boil and add a small handful of sea salt and a glass of vinegar; let it boil for 5 minutes and warm. Pour it into a bowl and place the leg on top, with the foot out and making sure that the knee is at the level of the bowl; and with the help of a saucepan or glass, take the liquid and pour it into the affected area while gently massaging, do it for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rosemary alcohol
The rosemary alcohol is a potent anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant, so it is perfect for massage and relieving pain, and improving the condition of the knee. Thus, you have to put a little of this alcohol from this natural plant in the palm of your hand and gently massage the knee that suffers from the inflammation of the tendons in circles. You can do it several times a day, but it is recommended to do it three times a day.
Anti-inflammatory infusions for tendonitis
As an internal treatment for inflammation, the ideal is to take 2 or 3 cups a day of some of the best anti-inflammatory infusions, such as the following:
- Echinacea
- Willow bark
- Dandelion
- Salvia
- Manzanilla
- Onaga
- Cinnamon
Exercise for tendonitis in the knee
To treat tendonitis in the knee, it is necessary that, in addition to a medical and natural treatment to support it, we follow a pattern of rehabilitation exercises that should be taught well and supervised by a physiotherapist. It is vital to complement the treatments with physiotherapy since patellar tendonitis can prevent the complete movement of the joint and cause a lot of pain. If mobility does not recover, it is a risk that it will cost too much to use the knee again without problems later.
The exercises recommended by the physiotherapist may include muscle electrostimulation sessions, application of heat and cold, and controlled flexion and rotation movements to reduce inflammation and, at the same time, improve joint mobility.
The recovery time for knee tendonitis will depend entirely on the severity of the injury and the treatment, so only the specialist can estimate how long it will last. Thus, it can last a few weeks, a few months, or years and become chronic patellar tendonitis, so it is vital to follow the advice of professionals to recover better and avoid the process from lengthening or worsening.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Knee Tendonitis: symptoms and natural treatment , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints, and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.