Patella tendonitis

“-itis” means inflammation, so tendonitis means inflammation of a tendon. Patellar tendonitis refers to the body’s normal inflammatory response when excessive stretch or repetitive use, or both, damage tissues.  Patella tendonitis is also known as “Jumper’s Knee” since it is seen most commonly in sports involving jumping (basketball, volleyball) but is also seen in sports requiring frequent direction change (soccer, tennis).

The excessive forces of repetitive activity result in microscopic damage to the tendon connecting the inferior patella to the tibial tuberosity (shin bone). The normal healing process results in repair of the damaged tendon and resolution of the inflammatory response.

Even if all the muscles are in perfect alignment for maximum kinetic energy transfer with the explosive force of jumping, repetitive use can cause tendon damage. The forces applied if the muscles are not in perfect alignment with contraction further compound the damage risk. Management of the athlete is easily accessible through any website search and I would suggest Mayo Clinic’s Website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/patellar-tendinitis/DS00625/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs.

It is postulated a compressive device “…can help to distribute force away from the tendon itself and direct it through the strap instead.” It can also help control the extreme muscle oscillations that apply more abnormal forces on the patellar tendon.

So we reviewed the medical literature to find that there is very little science supporting one treatment program over another. As one reviewer put it, “There is a persistent lack of well-designed studies with sufficiently long-term follow-up and number of patients to draw strong conclusions regarding therapy.” Credit to the authors is cited here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22186923.

We have the interesting experience of athletes telling us they benefit with the use of our Patella Helix for patellar tendonitis time after time.  If you have been advised to consider use of a compressive Helix for your particular condition you will not find a better product. The Patella Helix fits comfortably and applies uniform compression to the patellar tendon and surrounding structures. The Helix will not migrate or move with the extremes of sport activity. 

And of course, use good judgment with the management of any injury including medical evaluation for acute pain and chronic pain. Other fundamentals include eliminating the culprit activity, meaning, “don’t play”, rest, ice, compression and elevation. When compression is advised, put a Helix on it!

Which is the correct Helix for my knee?

Although there is an overlap in the compression provided by our knee products, selection of the correct Helix will maximize the benefits of compression.

If you have suffered any major knee trauma or have had knee surgery of any type, (arthroscopic of open surgical procedure) the Full Knee Helix is the preferred Helix.  The Full Knee Helix provides comfortable and uniform compression to the entire knee.  So if there has been injury to any of the ligaments, menisci or tendons, all will be supported.  There is also support for the distal thigh and proximal leg muscles and tendons.  Patients with degenerative or osteoarthritis of the knee report benefit not only from the compression, but also from the comfort of warmth.  Athletes of every age, sport and skill level wear the Full Knee Helix.

The Patella Helix provides focused support and stabilization for the patella and the patellar tendon.  This is ideal for athletes diagnosed with Runner’s Knee, Jumper’s Knee, patellar tendonitis and patellar instability.  Tracking refers to the correct positioning of the patella in a central location and several conditions can be associated with incorrect tracking such that the patella moves side to side.  The Patella Helix improves correct patellar tracking.  The attached photo demonstrates correct placement for these benefits.

When compared to the Patella Helix support for the patella tendon is slightly less with the Knee Helix but there is more support for the lateral and medial ligaments.  There is less support for the distal thigh muscles and proximal leg muscles when compared to the Full Knee Helix.  The Knee Helix is excellent for minor knee injuries in association with  Runner’s and Jumper’s Knee, strains of the medial and lateral ligaments, Osgood Schlatter’s Syndrome and minor arthritic conditions. 

Tom Parker, MD
Chief Science Officer

The new Ankle Helix from BodyHelix, designed for comfort and maximum support.

With minor acute ankle injuries the usual first step in management is the use of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). The Ankle Helix provides the most comfortable compression and support for the ankle. Using the latest in fabric science, BodyHelix has developed the best ankle compression and support brace available.

Dr. Bert Fields, past President of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, provided his many years of medical experience to BodyHelix during the development of the Ankle Helix. Dr. Fields notes there is substantial medical evidence documenting benefits from the use of support products for the prevention and treatment of ankle injuries. Individuals with past ankle sprains are at higher risk for a second sprain within 3 to 6 months.
Athletes wearing support products have fewer injuries than unsupported athletes. Athletes with or without a prior ankle injury experienced equal benefit in injury reduction. Dr. Fields points to the medical literature that attributes the benefit, not to ankle support but rather, to improved proprioception.

Proprioception is the medical term used to describe our position sense, knowing where we are in space or precisely where a key body part, such as the wrist or ankle, is during an athletic movement. So a compression device that improves proprioception reduces the athlete’s risk of injury or reinjury.
The Ankle Helix provides the most comfortable uniform compression available and our orthopedic and sports medicine users confirm this.

We know the Ankle Helix is good for injury prevention, what about injury management?

The medical literature concludes that compression is desirable in the management of the edema, or swelling that occurs with an ankle injury. When the ankle’s soft tissue is injured, swelling occurs as fluid leaks from the damaged tissue. Ice and elevation also help to keep the swelling down but only for limited periods.
The Ankle Helix is remarkably comfortable and takes full advantage of the advances in product science. Prolonged wear of the Helix is well tolerated, comfortable and provides compression and support for the damaged tissue. Pressure is maintained, through uniform compression, at the desired range for physiological benefit. This is achieved with no compromise on comfort.

The Ankle Helix will stretch more than the joint. Consequently, there is no binding, constriction or painful irritation of the skin with wearing the Helix as there are with older technologies. The Ankle Helix provides improved proprioception and support or compression of the ankle tissues including ligaments, Achilles tendon and proximal plantar fascia. These features are supported by scientific evidence to reduce ankle injury and reinjury, reduce swelling and provide support for ankle injury management.
We are excited to offer a truly comfortable product, through extensive research and development, that meets the compression targets as outlined in the medical community.

Tom Parker, MD
Chief Science Officer