Knee Tendonitis
Tendonitis is one of the most common injuries that affect the knee. In simple terms it means inflammation and/ or rupture of the tendons of the knee. Knee tendonitis is also called 'Jumper's knee' as it was first described in the takeoff leg of high jumpers. It occurs in dancers, runners and players and anyone who runs and jumps regularly suffer from it. Typical symptoms of knee tendonitis:
Knee tendonitis produces pain, tenderness and stiffness near/on the knee joints.
Worst pain is experienced when ascending or descending stairs or when getting up from a seated position.
Chronic pain is common due tendon and ligament weakness and cartilage deterioration.
Inflammation of the tendons in the knee occurs. The inflamed tendons are painful when moved or touched.
The tendon sheaths are visibly swollen. This may be due to accumulation of fluid and inflammation.
Causes
Knee tendonitis is caused by overuse, injury or due to aging.
A small tear or inflammation in the knee caused the pain in knee tendonitis.
Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can also cause knee tendonitis.
Popliteus tendonitis is caused by excessive inward rolling of the feet. This is called 'pronation'. This occurs when excessive stress is put on the tendon, thereby causing a tear or inflammation in the tendon.
Pes anserine tendonitis is characterized by inflammation of the medial knee. This often coexists with other knee disorders.
Semi membranous tendonitis is characterized by posteromedical aspects of the knee and tenderness. Here resisted flexion and 'outward turned strain' occurs.
Treatment for knee tendonitis
Modern medicine
Orthopedic surgeons recommend conservative treatment for knee tendonitis. Physical therapy and injections are commonly administered.
Modern treatment regime includes rest, cryotherapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and massage.
For the athlete who wants to improve his/her condition much faster, cortisone injections are given every one to two weeks.
Surgery for knee tendonitis is rare. However if the person develops a tear in the tendon,surgery is the only answer.
Natural treatment for knee tendonitis
Prolotherapy: In knee tendonitis that occurs in sports persons, the athlete is encouraged to perform exercises during the healing process. This natural medical treatment helps to strengthen structural weaknesses in the.
The MEAT treatment consists of tendon and strengthening of ligaments by movement, exercise, analgesics and treatment by herbal supplies. The approach here is to encourage the damaged tissues to heal as quickly as possible without decreasing the inflammation quickly with ice or anti inflammatory drugs.
A heat pad could be applied on the pain area for 15 -20 minutes to relieve pain.
Similarly cold therapy can also be resorted to.
Bracing is considered by sports persons to provide stability to the knee and thereby relieve pain by stimulating the nerve fibers which makes the wearer feels that the joint is more stable and secure. Football players, racers and skiers particularly benefit from such bracing.
Avoid activity that can cause pain.
Pulmonary Embolism
When an artery in the lungs gets blocked, it is referred to as a medical condition of Pulmonary embolism. This condition can be life threatening. Often deep vein thrombosis(DVT) can lead to pulmonary embolism. The blood clots may originate in any other part of the body such as the arm, pelvis or legs. These clots travel through the bloodstream and enter the pulmonary arteries. Recent surgery or injury can lead to a blood clots. Persons with heart disease or those on estrogen therapy are at increased risk of pulmonary embolism. Typical symptoms experienced by those suffering from pulmonary embolism are chest pain, sudden shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. A patient might have wheezing and weak pulse. The symptoms of pulmonary embolism depend on the extent and size of clots. Embolus can also be the result of fat from the bone marrow that has escaped into the bloodstream. It can also occur due to air bubbles formed during intravenous infusion or surgery. While large emboli cause considerable distress such as chest pain, smaller ones cause shortness of breath. Patients suffering from pulmonary embolism tend to have cough that produces sputum. There may be bluish discolaration on the skin and pain in the legs. Fainting spells or seizures might occur due to sudden decrease in oxygen-rich blood to the brain and other organs. Bluish tint on the skin (cyanosis) is observed when one or more large pulmonary arteries are obstructed.
Diagnostic procedures to detect pulmonary embolism:
Chest X-ray helps in identifying any lung infections
CAT scan
ECG
Perfusion Scan of the lung - This test helps in outlining the blood flow to the lungs and helps in detecting any obstructions.
V/Q scan involves a a nuclear ventilation-perfusion study of the lungs.
Pulmonary angiogram involves injection of a special dye into the pulmonary arteries to detect obstructive clots.
D-dimer test is a test that spots d-dimer molecules released by the clots.
One of the initial steps to help a person suffering from pulmonary embolism is administration of oxygen and analgesics. Oxygen is administered through a nasal cannulae or face mask. Blood clots are treated with anticoagulant drugs like heparin or warfarin. But the duration and dosage of anticoagulants needs to be monitored so that it does not result in bleeding in other body organs. Thrombolysis is a procedure whereby thromoblytic agents (clot-dissolving agents) are injected into the bloodstream to dissolve existing blood clots. Surgery (Pulmonary embolectomy) is often resorted to for removal of clots.
Temporomandibular Joint Disease
Temporomandibular Joint Disease or TMJ is a group of conditions that involve the temporaomandibuluar joints. These joints are located in front of each ear and connect the lower jaw bone to the skull. The temporomandibular joints allow sideward and up-and-down movements such as speaking, chewing food, biting and speaking. A person suffering from Temporomandibular joint disease has pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues that make movement painful. TMJ is also referred to as myofacial pain dysfunction and Costen's syndrome. Mandicubular muscle tension caused due to stress can be a cause for TPD. Certain triggering factors for TMJ may be teeth grinding, teeth clenching, dental problems and high stress.
It is noticed that more women, especially in their childbearing years tend to be affected by TMJ than men. Some form of arthritis, hormones, autoimmune conditions and low-grade infections are thought to be the causes for Temporomandibular Joint Disease. There is a dull ache in the jaw joint and ears. Persons suffering from temporomandibular joint disease suffer headaches and pain in the neck, shoulder and back. They may find it difficult to open the mouth comfortably or notice locking of the jaw. Swelling is sometimes noticed on the sides of the face. There might be ear pain or ringing in the ears. These symptoms may last a few weeks.
A diagnosis of TMJ can be made after an examination of the cheek muscles for any neurological symptoms. The physician will check for any joint clicking sounds and assess the range of motion of the mandibular joints. Analgesics or NSAIDs are prescribed to reduce pain and discomfort. Muscle relaxants such as diazepam are used to reduce muscle spasms. Therapy such as massage, exercise and electrical stimulation can aid in improving the strength and moton of the mandibular joints. Dental therapy such as orthdontics can help in rectifying an abnormal bite and teeth misalignment. Cortisone injections are given to those who do not respond to any other treatment. Patients suffering temporomandibular joint disease can alleviate the pain and other symptoms by eating soft food, applying ice or moist heat and avoiding extreme jaw movements that can be painful. The jaw must be rested.
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