Overuse problems of the knee :

Patellar tendonitis or tibial tubercle problem? - - Posted by debd (debd), 17 May 2004

I am new at this, so please bear with me!!  

I have been experiencing pain at the point where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia for at least 6 months.  I went to see an orthepedic doc two months ago.  He diagnosed it as patellar tendonitis and prescribed PT.  I have been receiving iontophoresis treatments and ultrasound treatments for the past two months (although there was a two week break in there during a vacation).  I should mention that I have completely stopped running (which seems to have been the source of the problem) and stopped lifting weights (which definitely made it worse - specifically any kind of leg press or squat or lunge) for the past three weeks.  Prior to that, the PT thought that perhaps I could train through treatment.  

My questions, after reading this board, are the following:  

1.  Is there any kind of adult Osgood Schlatter's symptom?  The description of OSD is quite a good match for what I am experiencing, but all the case histories feature a childhood or adolescent onset.  There is definitely pain upon contact with the head of the tibia in my case and there is enlargement of the "bump" at the head of the tibia, but I am no child (over 40).  ALSO:

2.  Can I cycle and not exacerbate this problem (I am an experienced cyclist and cycle at a high rpm)?  My knee does not hurt while cycling.

Thanks much for your input!

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