Definition
Patellar tendon irritation or patellar tendon tip syndrome (tendinitis patellae or tendinosis patellae) is an inflammation of the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is the continuation of the front thigh muscle (M. quadriceps femoris). The task of the patellar tendon is to transmit the force from the thigh to the lower leg, thus enabling the leg to bend and stretch. Overloading can cause the tendon to become irritated and in the worst case even tear completely.
Causes
Patellar tendon irritation typically occurs as a result of continuous overloading of the extensor apparatus in the leg. The increased friction at the transition between tendon and bone causes irritation and the tendon becomes inflamed. The patella tendon is subject to strong tensile stress and constant strain, especially when walking and running.
Therefore, runners who put a lot of strain on their legs often and heavily are often affected by patellar tendon inflammation. Too few running breaks or incorrect footwear additionally promotes the development of patellar tendon irritation. Good running shoes and sufficiently long breaks between runs are an important preventive measure.
Sports that often involve movement sequences with many changes of direction, jumps or rapid braking (e.g. basketball, soccer, high jump, long jump, squash) are a major risk factor for patellar tendon irritation, as the tendon is extremely stressed and can be quickly irritated. Another cause can be a weakly developed muscle apparatus or shortened thigh muscles, as the tendon is more severely strained, rubs against the bone and can become inflamed. Irritation of the patellar tendon can also be caused by infectious wounds on the knee: due to an accident or injury, bacteria penetrate the tissue and trigger an inflammatory response there.
Certain drugs, e.g. statins (cholesterol-lowering agents) or antibiotics from the class of fluoroquinolones, also promote the development of patellar tendon inflammation, as they have a damaging effect on connective tissue and tendons. Other causes and risk factors for the development of patellar tendon irritation are various orthopedic changes of the musculoskeletal system, such as knee elevation, osteonecrosis in the area of the patellar tendon or leg malpositions such as knock-knees and bow legs. In addition, severe overweight or age-related phenomena such as osteoporosis and arthrosis also put strain on the ligaments and promote inflammation in the knee area.
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