Osteopathy patellae, Springer knee, Sinding-Larsen’s disease
Introduction
Patellar tip syndrome is an overload reaction of the patellar extensor apparatus. It leads to a chronic degenerative change of the patellar tendon. Among other things, the tendon is required to stretch the knee when jumping and to absorb jumps. Therefore, the patellar tendon syndrome is also called “jumper knee”. It is often observed in people who play sports such as volleyball, basketball, soccer or athletics, where there is a lot of jumping or a heavy load on the knee joint.
Symptoms
In patellar tip syndrome, the main symptom is a stress-related pain, which is described by those affected at the lower edge of the patella. The pain is often persistent and can last from months to years. The intensity of the symptoms can vary.
Depending on the stage of the disease, the pain may occur at the beginning of the movement and disappear again after warming up, or it may be felt throughout the entire stress period. In addition to the pain, there may also be swelling of the knee. This usually occurs at the level of or below the kneecap.
The fact that both knees are affected by patellar tendinitis occurs in 20 – 30% of those affected. The pain of patellar tendinitis can be divided into different stages (I-IV) according to its occurrence. In patellar tendinitis, the pain is located at the lower end of the patella.
Pain can occur in different situations. It often occurs as a pain during stair climbing or walking downhill, during the warm-up phase during sports activities or after exertion. However, pain can also be generally felt when walking.
The symptom pain is divided into four levels in patellar tip syndrome (according to Roels et al):
- Grade I: The pain occurs after a load has been applied (for example, after running).
- Grade II: Here the pain is felt at the beginning of the load (for example, you start running with pain). This pain improves or disappears completely after the warm-up phase. After the load, however, the pain returns with the same intensity.
- Grade III: The pain is constant whether you are walking, sitting or standing.
- Grade IV: In the fourth stage the patella tendon is torn. This results in severe pain and a sudden loss of strength, whereby the knee joint can no longer be stretched without, for example, using the hands to help.
