Overuse Knee Injuries
Repetitive knee injuries usually involve inflammation of the tendons and ligaments that cross the knee.
Often they respond to a period of rest and physiotherapy but they can occasionally require surgical treatment.
‘Jumper’s Knee’ (Patellar Tendinitis)
This normally develops as an ache (or occasionally sharp discomfort) at the front of the knee just below the knee cap. Sometimes it remains as an irritating ache that can affect your enjoyment of sporting activity. Sometimes it can become severely debilitating. In either case, seeking urgent diagnosis from a knee specialist is essential, as appropriate physiotherapy can prevent the knee pain worsening, and often cure the condition entirely.
In severe cases where physiotherapy has failed to settle the symptoms, your Yorkshire Knee Clinic orthopaedic consultant may recommend surgery to help settle the symptoms and help you return to your regular activities quicker.
Quadriceps Tendinitis
Similar to patella tendinitis (above) but occurs at the top of the knee cap. With swift referral to your knee doctor, it also usually responds to appropriate physiotherapy.
Iliotibial Band (ITB) Friction Syndrome
A common condition in runners and with other similar repetitive activities (walking, cycling etc.). It is often triggered by increasing the duration or severity of your activity. If you have an ITB friction injury you will feel pain on the outside of the knee for a day or two after the activity, sometimes with swelling.
It’s important to see your knee specialist quickly to ensure the pain is not being caused by a lateral cartilage tear. Once diagnosed, sports physiotherapists normally manage initial treatment, although occasionally you may need surgical treatment.
Wear & Frontal Knee Pain (Osteoarthritis)
Wear in the knee (osteoarthritis) usually results in an aching pain that can occur during or after activities. It’s easy to mistake osteoarthritis for other overuse conditions, but knee osteoarthritis usually results in swelling of the knee joint and/or stiffness.
Aches at the front of the knee (sometimes with catching feelings) can indicate wear to the patello-femoral joint. Such symptoms are often associated with activities involving repetitive jumping (eg. netball, basketball, martial arts) or hill/fell running.
Bursitis
Around your knee, small sacs of fluid allow skin or muscles to glide over other structures. Sometimes these can become inflamed causing pain and swelling. Occasionally (particularly over the knee cap) the sacs can become infected causing severe pain, redness and swelling. If you recognise these symptoms, talk to Yorkshire Knee Clinic’s knee surgeons immediately.
Other types of bursal swelling usually cause pain only, and typically respond to simple treatments. Swelling or fullness at the back of the knee is commonly called a ‘Baker’s cyst’. Treatment may require treatment of the underlying reason for the swelling to reduce its size and effects.
For Help With Your Sports Knee Injury
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