TREATMENT OF PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY
TREATMENT OF PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY

Summary/Abstract: Patellar tendonitis, also known as the jumper's knee is an inflammation of the tendon or cord of fibrous tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. It has an incidence of about 20% in jumping athletes, including volleyball, basketball and handball athletics. It is often accompanied by tenosynovitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath. The cause of the inflammation may result from repeated trauma or excessive straine of the tendon. Chronic overuse of tendons leads to microscopic tears within the collagen matrix, which gradually weakens the tissue. These causes can lead to ?local qi and blood congestion in the channels?. In most cases good results are obtained with conservative treatment that includes medication and physical therapy. According to TCM, acupuncture not only help decrease the pain, but will also enhance body‘s own healing ability. Needling the affected area bring in more blood flow and oxygen and help the tissue recover. Research shows that overall, acupuncture can be helpful to reduce tendonitis pain and increase circulation to/around a tendon. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of conservative and complementary treatment in patients with patellar tendinitis. Methods of research: The research was conducted in cooperation with the Public Institution „Center for Traditional Chinese Medicinethe?and the Recreation Center at the University "Goce Delcev" - Stip, for a period of 1 months. The study included 15 participants (4 women and 11 men) with previously diagnosed Patellar tendinopathy. Each patient was asked for consent to participate in the study. Participants are divided into two groups, Group A (7 respondents) and Group B (8 respondents). Group A participants received conservative treatment that included drug therapy, physical therapy, and kinesitherapy (eccentric exercises), while group B respondents received complementary treatment with acupuncture and electroacupuncture, moxibustion, and kinesiotaping techniques. ?reatment of Patellar tendonitis included 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment. We used the acupuncture protocol for Patellar tendonitis. The points were selected according to textbook acupuncture point prescription.Results: Before starting treatment, each patient fills out the Questionnaire Lysholm Knee Score Standard (LKSS).The same tests are done at the end of treatment. The results are shown in Tables. The present study demonstrated a statistically significant difference before treatment and after 4 weeks of acupuncture at tender points. The results demonstrated, not only a reduction in pain threshold sensitivity, but also knee motor impairment.The researchers determined that acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy, plus moxibustion and kinesiotaping techniques is more effective than conservative treatment with drug therapy (NSAID) and physical therapy for relief of knee Patellar tendonitis . Conclusion: This is a clinically significant finding for important reasons. First, the acupuncture protocol combined with moxibustion does not cause the gastrointestinal distress common with NSAID intake. Second, this is a proven treatment option for the effective relief of disability and pain due to knee Patellar tendonitis. The NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) had a faster onset of effective action but acupuncture produced significantly greater positive patient outcomes for long-term relief.

• Details
• Contents