Symptoms
The inflammation of the quadriceps tendon becomes apparent to the affected person primarily through a point-like pressure pain exactly above the corresponding tendon section. The inflammation and thus the pressure pain typically occurs at three points: Either at the upper edge of the patella, the lower edge or the tibial tuberosity of the tibia. This pressure pain, which is caused by inflammation of the quadriceps tendon, may well result in pain during movement, especially during the triggering overload, which leads to a restriction in the knee’s freedom of movement, while the knee itself is not functionally impaired.
To treat inflammation of the quadriceps tendon, conservative therapy may be considered at the beginning.First of all, the overloading of the quadriceps tendon, which is one of the main causes of inflammation, should be reduced to a minimum. Only when this stressor is removed can the inflammation of the quadriceps tendon regress and heal. Local physiotherapy can, on the one hand, promote healing and, on the other hand, increase the durability of the tendon to prevent future inflammation due to overloading.
In addition, it is also possible to counteract incorrect loading of the quadriceps tendon by learning new, gentler movement sequences. Part of the conservative therapy should include anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication. On the one hand, the drugs should reduce the patient’s suffering from the painful inflammation of the quadriceps tendon and make pain-free movement possible again.
On the other hand, they should promote recovery by suppressing the inflammatory reaction. If conservative therapy fails and chronic complaints arise from the inflammation of the quadriceps tendon, surgical intervention may be considered. However, this does not serve to treat the inflammation, but rather to relieve the pain caused by the inflammation by removing any calcium.
In addition, a torn or partially torn quadriceps tendon can be reconstructed during surgery. Cutting out the inflamed area is not advisable, as this would not produce a better result and the function of the tendon would be lost. As a rule, conservative therapy, especially reduced strain, is very helpful.