Allen1959 wrote:
Perhaps not likely. Today's diagnosis was patellar osteophyte at quadriceps tendon; calcification within the quadriceps tendon; quadriceps tendinitis; patellar tendinitis.
Removing the spur would be major surgery, requiring cutting and reattaching the quadriceps tendon.
Strengthening, stretching and range-of-motion exercises -- and ibuprofen -- might help. That's pretty much what I did to overcome Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome , and what I tried again for this. But I guess it will take more time and diligence to see any results.
I'll head back to my PT to check whether there are any specific exercises beyond what I did before.
That's quite a number of pathologies diagnosed - sorry to hear that.
Since I've sustained quite few major injuries in my day, FWIW, I'll share this experience:
My second worst running related injury (next to a completely ruptured PTT) was a partially torn patellar tendon sustained about 12 yrs ago (age 46). I fell while racing on icy road conditions, getting back up quickly and accelerating to race pace when I felt a tear in the anterior area of the knee. A complete run stopper and I could barely walk. After being misdiagnosed a couple of times on the clinical exams, it was accurately diagnosed (finally)per MRI by a senior sports orthopedic surgeon as a partially torn PT with tendonosis. Not quite everything you have but debilitating nonetheless. Since it wasn't completely rupture a surgical option wasn't offered but a later tendonotomy & debriding could be considered with over a year or so of failed conservative treatment. So, the research and rehab began.
The injury cost me 9 total months before getting back to pre-injury status partially due to the delay in getting an accurate DX (I thought I would never run again - cycling was even difficult). Since patellar tendinopathy is a common injury with basketball & volleyball players (from mild strains to complete ruptures) I followed some of their rehab excercises, particularly the eccentric decline squat protocol with decline board. I also did single leg eccentric excercises on the leg sled and single leg eccentrics on the leg extensions (multiple sets, 4 x week). Of course, regular stactic & dynamic stretching and all that. You may have mentioned doing these or some of these in previous posts - so I apologize for any redundancy.
It took a few months to see any significant improvement and achieve a good range of motion, but I was finally able to get to phase 1 of fast walking/low speed jogging w/o pain. Then came phase 2 - intermittent jogging/running & backwards walking/jogging on an indoor track, and finally that euphoric moment of continuous running outdoors w/o pain/discomfort. Pre-injury level followed shortly thereafter after getting some fitness back. A 9 month process though.
Current status is still on ongoing eccentric excercises (I do eccentric decline squats with the decline board in my basement now and do all the leg machines at the gym (3 x week). I've iced the knee daily for 20 mins for 12 yrs now as it significantly helps with the soreness and stiffness, particularly after run days. There's a noticeable deformity along the tendon where scar tissue has formed. I also wear compression shorts that extend down to the upper knee area year round and a compression lower sleeve while running - both really help with support & comfort. Just quick funny story on this: I've had some of the pretentious young bucks in our running club over the years (you know...the arrogant ones that think they know everything because they're fast) try to lecture me that compression shorts/leg sleaves "don't do anything" and nonetheless "look stupid" on runners (usually citing some cheesy BS study that didn't look at older athletes/subjects with chronic injuries). I look straight at them with a grin and say; "well youngsters....when you get my age and if have my type of injuries, let's see if you'll be running at all." They have absolutely no answer and look like a deer caught in the headlights. Lol.
Best of luck on the your rehab.?