Common Cause of Knee Pain - Ruptured Tendons

Ruptured tendons in the knees are serious injuries, and very painful. There are two types of tendon ruptures, partial and complete, and both may require surgery as part of their treatment. There are three main tendons in the knee: the hamstring in the back of the leg, the quadriceps tendon that connects the quadriceps muscles to the kneecap, and the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shin bone, or tibia.

What is a Tendon?

To put it in the simplest of terms, a tendon is fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. This tissue is tough, and can normally withstand a fair amount of wear and tear. Tendons, considered to be soft tissues, are much stronger than muscles, but are still susceptible to serious injury, which often requires surgery.

Causes of Ruptured Knee Tendons

There are a number of things that can cause a ruptured tendon in the knee, such as injuries and even overuse. This is a condition that is seen in a lot of athletes, as they are constantly putting strain on their knees. The most common knee tendon ruptures are in the quadriceps and patellar tendons. As a rule, quadriceps ruptures are most commonly seen in those over 40 who are involved in some sort of sport. Many joggers receive quadriceps ruptures. On the other hand, patellar tendon ruptures are more commonly seen in younger people, especially those who have had tendonitis in the past or have had steroid injections in their knees.

Symptoms of Ruptured Knee Tendons

Naturally, one of the most common symptoms of a ruptured tendon in the knee is pain, and a lot of it. The pain mainly occurs when the person who is injured is trying to extend the leg, and if the ruptures are complete, extension is impossible. With both a patellar tendon rupture and a quadriceps tendon rupture, the kneecap is usually out of place - higher than normal with a patellar tendon rupture, and lower with the quadriceps tendon rupture.

Treatment of Ruptured Knee Tendons

When it comes to treating ruptured knee tendons, the course of treatment may differ somewhat between partial and complete ruptures. Anyone who suspects that they may have ruptured a tendon in their knee should seek immediate medical attention, and x-rays will be needed to ensure that the injury is in fact a rupture and not a fracture of the kneecap. Once the rupture is correctly diagnosed, the patient is usually given crutches, and the leg is braced for knee pain relief. It is essential that ice and elevation be used, and in many cases, the patient will need surgery to reattach the tendon.

The time it takes for the knee to fully recover following a ruptured tendon and surgery is about eight to twelve weeks, depending on the individual patient. They will need to wear a cast to prevent movement, and physiotherapy is usually required to get the knee back in tip-top shape again.

Ruptured tendons in the knee are acute and painful injuries, but they can easily be treated, and it only takes a few months before patients are able to do everything they could before the injury. Just remember, it is essential that diagnosis be made as soon as possible, to avoid any further damage by not getting the proper treatment on time.