Training & Nutrition - Stage III tendonitis...

Well, as I wrote in another forum on here, I haven't been able to ride for about two weeks now because my knees are hurt pretty bad. Here's how it progressed so someone else can see if this is what they have.

A little about myself and what could have caused this. I cycle about 100 miles a week and I play indoor soccer. My doctors are not sure what caused this problem because it didn't just happen all of a sudden (there was no "pop" like too many people have heard when an ACL tears....makes me shudder just thinking about it)! The first problem was small, it felt like if I flexed my quad that my knee would just rip apart. Seriously, it felt like my knee couldn't support a full on flex. The it started to hurt when I would just walk and I noticed that when I flexed my quad at all it would become extremely sensitive. I went to the doctor and he made me do all these weird things. He found out that my knee popped everytime it would bend. He then tried tapping on the top of my thigh slowly approaching my knee cap. I was laying flat on my back with my leg completely relaxed, well, close to relaxed! When he pushed on my leg immediatly above my knee cap it was all I could do to not put my thumb through his throat. I haven't felt pain like that in a long time and he instantly stopped.

He told me that I have "micro tears in my quadral tendon (he might have used other words, this is just what I remember) and a massive fluid build up." He could push on one side of my knee and see the fluid push out on the other side. Then he gave me the good news/bad news deal. The bad news is that I can't do anything (ride/hike/run) for atleast three weeks (this would later become 6-8 weeks) but the good news is that I shouldn't ("shouldn't") need surgery. He then went on to tell me about the three stages of tendonitis and that I've just got to relax and not stress it.

I can only hope that this has helped anyone to diagnose their problems. The key ingredient was the pain above my knee cap, unbearable!

-Barry-

P.S. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I'm bored out of my mind and need help passing the time!

http://www.activerelease.com/

For tendonitis they are great. They accelerate healing.

ART sounds like Rolfing. How painful is it?

I wouldn't call it comfortable.

It depends how fast you want to heal. I give you two examples:

I was preparing for a contest and ruptured my left bicep on the pronated hand. One year later the arm still hurt when I would curl. I went to an ART Provider. Yes, the treatment was uncomfortable, but that was years ago and I can still curl virtually pain free with ONE treatment.

One of my weightlifting partners had tendonitis in his forearm for one year. Continued to curl and ignore it and continued to have pain. He went and also mentioned the treatment was uncomfortable. Two treatments later he is much improved.

The thing I like is there is usually improvement after one or two treatments. Of course Jacobi would have to do his part, rest and make ice his best friend.

Okay Univega, this sounds like something I am willing to try. If you really read my first post, you understand how much "pressure" (there is no pain, right? HAHA) I felt when he rubbed my knee. Is this something the ART doc will just rub out or how exactly does it work?

Jacobi, I did read it. I also said it would not be a comfortable procedure.

But, if it is indeed tendonitis it should help.
Bring something to bite, just like in the movies.

Good luck. Let me know if you go and how much it helped.
In the mean time, lots of ice and anti –inflammatory meds like Advil or Alieve.
(if your stomach can handle them.)

Thanks univega. I'm currently taking 800 mg motrin and icing as much as possible. My doc actually told me to fill up dixie cups with water and let them freeze, then tear away the sides and give myself an ice massage. It's working, but I don't feel like I'm ever going to get better.

It still hurts to straighten my leg, I don't even think I can fully straighten it. Then once it is straight, I feel like if I flex my quad that my knee will just rip apart. It's such a weird feeling.

Just be sure it is tendonitis and not something more severe.

Good luck. PM me with your progress.

Regards

Univega

I knew someone who completely tore that ligament, causing him to not be able to lift his lower leg. As to kick.

I'd try to remember to stretch those ligaments, after you recover and before much movement.

Also I know this sounds like quackery to many but a friend has just treated me for torn muscle which resulted in a egg yoke sized hematoma in my calf. He used acupuncture and electric stimulation. He is an MD with 2 40 hour Acupuncture classes and had worked on probably 50 or so acupuncture treatments. I am a skeptic in general, but the AP really did seem to reduce healing time.

Just be sure it is tendonitis and not something more severe.

Good luck. PM me with your progress.

Regards

Univega

That's the problem, I'm very worried that it's something else. I've had regular x-rays done, and nothing was found, but I'm in the military on a sea going vessel (submarine) and I'm not sure it's in the navy's best interest for me to take time to heal and not go to sea.

I believe that I've got petellafemoral syndrome (spelling way off?), but it doesn't matter really, since there is no cure for that and it just takes time. I overpronate and I've got massive quads but it does seem to be disproportional to the outer thigh. I would do the leg extensions to work the inner thigh, but it hurts now to straighten the leg. Only time will tell...