At Shoreline Orthopaedics, our orthopaedic surgeons use a truly collaborative approach so our patients have the benefit of multiple expert opinions, without having to go elsewhere to obtain them.
Shoreline Orthopaedics provides more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art options, technologies and techniques than anyone else in the area.
The following information is provided to help you understand what you can expect from us regarding policies and procedures, and also what is expected of you before and after treatment or procedures.
The following information is provided to help you gain a better understanding of anatomy, terminology, certain orthopaedic procedures, and more. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your physician.
The kneecap (patella) connects muscles in the front of the thigh to the shinbone (tibia). As you bend or straighten a leg, the kneecap is pulled up or down. This movement of the kneecap is accommodated by a V-shaped notch (femoral groove) at one end of the thighbone (femur). The medial patella femoral ligament (MPFL)—located on the inside (medial side) of the knee—helps hold the kneecap in place and stop it from sliding/popping off of the outer side (lateral side) of the knee.
The patella tendon is in the front of the knee. It connects the patella (knee cap) to the tibia (shin bone).
Pain in the patella tendon is a common problem, especially in people who participate extensively in running or jumping activities. Pain in the patella tendon can be separated into two main conditions: patella tendinitis and patella tendinosis.
Patella tendinitis usually responds to rest, icing, anti-inflammatories and rehab. Patella straps may also help to relieve symptoms.
Treatment for patella tendinosis is initially conservative with hamstring stretching, quadriceps stretching and strengthening (especially eccentric exercises), and core strengthening. Using patella straps can also help relieve symptoms. However, even with good rehab patella tendinosis is sometimes difficult to cure.
Cortisone injections into the patella tendon are not recommended because they can cause a possible rupture in the tendon and there is no medical evidence supporting the treatment. For cases that are not responsive to rehab, PRP injections are a potential option. According to some lab reports, results of PRP therapy have been promising. However, clinical trials have failed to produce consistently good results and in many of these trials, the results are no better than that of placebo treatments.
Surgery is an option for cases that have failed to respond to many months or more of nonoperative treatment. Although surgical treatment can yield good results, it is a last resort and not considered for most cases.