Patellar Tendonitis

[SherpaStyle]

I got patellar tendonitis at the beginning of fire season last year from preseason training. It started in May and put me out for 2 weeks. I didn't really have the option to lay off it any longer than that. Fortunately, it was a slow fire season so I wasn't too hard on it over the summer. Skiing hasn't been too painful this season. Although if I ski inbounds for more than 3 days in a row it gets aggravated.

Fire season is just around the corner and it's time to start getting in shape again. I know as soon as I start running again its gonna get bad again. Is there anything I can do to make it better or am I screwed for the rest of my life (or until I get a desk job...)?

[Vinman]

Although patellar tendonitis can become chronic, it should not be with you forever.

Some things you can do to help get rid of it.

1. Stretch quads, hams, calves and hip flexors

2. heat the knee regularly before stretching

3. ice after activity

4. strengthen the quad using eccentric loads (negative or down part of a lift)
it is likely that this will initially make your knee more sore as well as your quad muscles. But don't give up it will get better. They(researchers) are not sure why this work but it seems to.

5. If you have insurance and have access to a PT or ATC go get some ultrasound treatments

6. Use a little patellar compression band. For some reson compressing the tendon reduces the pain.

Something that looks like this.
http://www.medco-athletics.com/List/...?Leaf_Id=54013
But don't order from here you can likely find on of these in a drug store for cheaper.

Hope some of that helps.

[Arty50]

The last couple of seasons I had the same thing in both knees. I felt like I was 100 years old. And just like you it would limit the number of days I could ski in a row. For some reason I haven't had any problems this year. The only reason I can think of is all the mountain biking I did this past summer. I rode a ton. Otherwise, everything else is the same.

Still, to this day I refuse to run. It's unbearably hard on my knees and so I have to do other things. Biking has been my drug of choice and it's been great so far. Pedaling with the seat too low does aggrivate it though. So I'm careful with that.

[char]

I got patellar tendonitis at the beginning of fire season last year from preseason training. It started in May and put me out for 2 weeks. I didn't really have the option to lay off it any longer than that. Fortunately, it was a slow fire season so I wasn't too hard on it over the summer. Skiing hasn't been too painful this season. Although if I ski inbounds for more than 3 days in a row it gets aggravated.

Fire season is just around the corner and it's time to start getting in shape again. I know as soon as I start running again its gonna get bad again. Is there anything I can do to make it better or am I screwed for the rest of my life (or until I get a desk job...)?

You probably know this, but one of those neoprene braces with the patellar hole in it helps a ton. I carry 2 in my red bag.

I've found that running/sprinting backwards really helps balance out my knees and keeps them in good shape. My doctor claims that spending time on a bike can help, but I've never tried it.

And what Vinman said, that and lots of ibuprofen.

[girlski0912]

I developed tendonitis doing dryland training for ski team. The first 2 years were pretty nasty and I was in a lot of pain. But, with training and recognizing when I had done too much, I was able to avoid the chronic pain. All of the above advice is pretty much what I have done in order to not have to deal with tendonitis on a daily basis. I ski with Cho-Pats (the straps that were mentioned) and they did alot to alleviate my pain. Careful on the Ibuprofen. You can develop an immunity to that shit quick which essentially means that your organs are taking a beating. I used Vioxx instead, but no more. Ice after ever workout when you are in pain. When you aren't hurting, it is critical to become familiar with your breaking point. And when you reach it, don't be afraid to take a little down time (though I don't know how possible that is when you are fighting fires...)
When I did my knee a few years ago the MRI revealed that my patellar tendons looked like a small animal had been chewing on them, most likely due to the tendonitis. I guess the scar tissue can build up after awhile and some docs will scope it all out. I figured I would wait until it was in surplus to go that far.

[char]

(though I don't know how possible that is when you are fighting fires...)

I assume for Sherpa that she can basically take time off when she can no longer keep up or be an effective member of the crew. Hotshots tend to be a hardheaded group and are loathe to admit weakness it seems. Little down time, no sleep and constantly being tired/sore are par for the course in my experience.

I wasn't aware of the immunity buildup from ibuprofen, I should probably cut back.

[splat]

prolo therapy.

[gonzo]

running = bad!

biking = gooooooood