Chondromalacia and Quadriceps Tendinits: How to treat?

[MOMSFOOD]

Any income info is very welcome!

[archive_Killer]

There is not to much you can do for the chondro. All of us pretty much have a little to some degree (although many have such a small amount that it won't be noticeable). About the only thing you can do for the chondro is to make sure your kneecap is tracking (in the patella-femoral groove) straight up and down when performing knee flexion and extension. Try to evaluate if all quad muscles are same size, hardness, ect.

For patellar tendonitis, I believe most questions have already been answered in this forumn. Try "Knee Pain and Rehab?" post. The best is rest (hard, but true), ice, NSAIDs, exercise modification (see referred to post for information), and cross friction massage.

After reviewing the post, fill free to ask any questions

[MOMSFOOD]

What kind of exams I have to ask to know why I have condro or tendinitis? How can they mesure my muscle, if there is any inbalance?And how is my patella tracking?
Thanks

btw: how is a cross friction massage?
do you believe in glucosamine?

[archive_Killer]

What kind of exams I have to ask to know why I have condro or tendinitis? How can they mesure my
muscle, if there is any inbalance?And how is my patella tracking?
Thanks
btw: how is a cross friction massage? do you believe in glucosamine?


Chondro is micro-tears or softening of the cartlidge behind the kneecap. Therefore, the kneecap doesn't slide up and down well in the patella femoral groove. You will have pain behind the knee cap during leg exercises, especially knee extension and any deep movements. To test, have someone compress your kneecap while performing a knee extension. There will probally be some pain no matter what, but if there is a lot of pain, then this is a positive test for chondro.

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the muscle tendon junction. This would hurt either right above or below the knee in the quad/patellar tendon. It would be sensitive to touch and hurt on many leg movements. Can hurt always, after, or during activity.

Muscle imbalance can be a little tricky. Probally the best way for you to evaluate is to look at your quad and notice if any part is bigger or more defined than the other, paying the most attention to the inner quad (the teardrop muscle/vastus medialis). Also, perform a leg extension. Your inner quad should fire a fraction of a second faster than the other quad muscles. This is the most important quad muscle for knee tracking.

For tracking, notice the inner quad muscle as mentioned. Also notice, is there any weird movement in the knee cap when performing knee extension or deep squats (deep flexion)? Also, how is your flexibilty? Quads, hip flexors, hams, hip (especially IT band)? If tight, this can cause abnormal pull on the patella. Also, by chance are you female or do you have wide hips? This increases the Q angle (the angle formed by the top of patella and outside of pelvis) and can cause abnormal tracking.

Cross friction massage is performed if tendonitis is present. You take your thumb and dig in (rub) across the tendon on the tender spot for about five minutes EOD. Always perform after activity and ice after. It breaks up and re-align scar tissue.

Glucosamine/Chondrosin is good for articular cartlidge, which would probally help if you have chondro, but not much with tendonitis. After a period (3 months or so) it also demonstrates some NSAID activity

[MOMSFOOD]

Thanks for all the info
I dont have pain inside the knee, only crepitation when I do leg movements. I think what is hurting me it is tendinitis because It´s in the top of patella. I see a doctor tomorrow and I keep you in touch what he said about it.

Btw: I am Male

[MOMSFOOD]

Hey, Bros

My doctor said my paing is coming from my quads tendinitis, not chondromalacia. I am taking tenoxicam (NAIDS) and doing ice on it and stretching my ham and calves. is it enough?
Thanks in advance

[archive_Killer]

Take a look at
www.anabolicfitness.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=702093973&f=6013051876&m=1613047086 (http://www.anabolicfitness.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=702093973&f=6013051876&m=1613047086)
towards the end of this page entitled "Knee pain and rehab." It should answer many of your questions.

The keys to overcoming quad tendonitis are:
rest
exercise selection
exercise modification
volume and intensity modification
stretching (especially a proper quad stretch)
icing after any leg activity
cross friction massage EOD

Hope this helps.

[Curious George]

I am not as knowledgable about this as Killer, but the most important thing to do is stretch the quad in my experience. Mel Siff says that electro magnetic stimulation has helped many people with the same condition. It of course depends on if you have acess to it. Again, make sure to stretch the quad muscles.

Take Good Care,

Cg

[archive_Killer]

Good call Curious. When somone comes to me with tendonitis, that is one of my first questions - Do you stretch?

You should be able to lay on the floor on your stomach and someone should easily be able to make your heel touch your butt.

I tested a bro (with patellar tendonitis) who use to be on this board and he was a good 8 inches short of touching his butt. Once he incorporated stretching, probelm solved.