LG physical therapists: Treating patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee)

 
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spflakers
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 03, 2017 6:24 am    Post subject: LG physical therapists: Treating patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee)

I've gotten great advice here on computers, rental cars and more, so why not ask about medical issues....

Eh, anyway.

42, okay shape, my lone exercise is my beloved old man hoops league, which runs October through June. I play a bit in the summer but basically, this is the only time I get any physical activity (not good, I realize). In 35 years of playing hoops, I've never had serious injury to my feet or legs. Never even sprained an ankle, remarkably. But four years ago, my knees just started killing me during hoops. And then it'd hurt throughout the day. Walking down the subway steps and I'd take a step and just have severe pain in one of the knees. Or sitting in a theater they'd just ache. Finally went to a specialist and the exam lasted about 3 minutes. He diagnosed it as patellar tendinitis. Jumper's knee. Oh, yes, the irony of someone with a vertical of 4!

He suggested going to a physical therapist. I went to one right by my apartment, the place was a zoo, the guy a bit too much like Larry David (looks, personality), but he gave me some exercises to do at home.

Then...the pain went away. For like a year. But now the past few years it's come back for good and each Wednesday night of hoops, I never know if I'm going to be in severe pain or just moderate pain. It's starting to affect my enjoyment of the game, which is killing me, because playing hoops remains very important to me, for mental health reasons as well as the physical benefits. But I'm starting to understand why these pro athletes give it up eventually when their body can't do what once came so easily. There will be a guy guarding me who a few years ago I would light up and now I have to struggle to do anything against. The knees just limit the motion so much, and I'm playing gingerly to keep from the pain getting worse.

SO

I haven't been back to the specialist. Tell my primary about it, they say stretch, etc. The issue is, I haven't really been vigilant with the stretching. My questions then:
--What are best stretches for this? The one that relieves the pain and I feel helps me if I do it before playing is just basic grabbing my ankle and pulling my leg up. But I do it like twice and call it a day. Is there a good time limit for doing those? 10 minutes? What are some other stretches that would help?
--I haven't been back to a PT since that first guy. Would regular trips be helpful or is this more about home care? I have decent insurance although not sure if it only covers few trips or what, so I assume home care would still be the most critical factor.
--Does this ever go away? Or it's just about limiting the pain now?
--That first specialist told me if I lost weight it'd help (6-3, 225, not fat but could lose a few pounds) because that puts strain on the knee.
--I wear knee braces when playing hoops. Just over the counter things from the pharmacy. Are they worthless? Some weeks I'll forget one and honestly I can't really tell the difference.
--Because of stomach issues, I can't take ibuprofen, as of last year. Which I think is one reason my knees hurt more this past hoops season. (Then again, the downing of those is what gave me bleeding, so...). I do use a cream on my knees before each week's games but again, is that worthless?
--Should I be icing? Heat? Before games, after games?

Anyway, would love any tips on stretches or other advice on this from any in the know folks. Thanks! All I'm trying to do, fellas, is to make sure I can still do this in 10 years:
http://bit.ly/2v2fclp
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LakersChamps04
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:50 am    Post subject:

my patellar hurt for a while too and then i got this strap. it was instant relief. its cheap, worth a try

https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Jumpers-Knee-Strap-Red/dp/B000F5R4R2/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1501854609&sr=8-5&keywords=patella+strap&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011
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loslakersss
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 7:51 am    Post subject:

I was gonna recommend the strap as well. I ice after bball games too, ESPECIALLY if you play outdoors.
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lakeshow03
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 8:39 am    Post subject:

Your hips could be playing a big part, especially if you have an office job or drive a lot or anything that has you sitting for long periods of time. Make sure your hips are nice and loose and also make sure to stretch/strengthen a muscle called your gluteus medius which directly correlates with your knee as well.

As far as stretching, start with having good ankle range of motion, there's a muscle that runs from your ankle to your knee (anterior tibialis) and if your ankle is tight, that tightness could travel up. Also, make sure you're stretching your quads.

Knees are multifaceted, and many things can be contributing to the pain but starting with these things may help a lot.
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spflakers
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:11 am    Post subject:

lakeshow03 wrote:
Your hips could be playing a big part, especially if you have an office job or drive a lot or anything that has you sitting for long periods of time. Make sure your hips are nice and loose and also make sure to stretch/strengthen a muscle called your gluteus medius which directly correlates with your knee as well.

As far as stretching, start with having good ankle range of motion, there's a muscle that runs from your ankle to your knee (anterior tibialis) and if your ankle is tight, that tightness could travel up. Also, make sure you're stretching your quads.

Knees are multifaceted, and many things can be contributing to the pain but starting with these things may help a lot.


Hmmm. Yeah, sit on my rear all day and then all night. And three years ago I had a back spasm episode that put me in the ER. That hasn't happened again, but ever since that, my hips get sore at different times, so that should probably be something I do stretch as well. And ankles...never have stretched those. My stretching routine really is awful. Even calling it a routine is an insult to routines. that worked when I was 18.

And am going to order a strap. Thanks, LGers!

Speaking of old man hoops leagues, this week I ran into a guy who played with us. Five years ago he tore his ACL and meniscus one night, on what I thought was a harmless play. He was 50 at the time. He had surgery. When he went home, he couldn't breathe and was rushed to hospital. Blood clots in his lungs. Nearly died. His knee has been f'd ever since. He walks with a cane and had to retire from his job as a doorman. Fortunately he got disability and the doormen's union is strong so he was taken care of there, but still....playing rec hoops and you suffer a knee injury that nearly leads to death and does lead to the end of your career. Yeesh.
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