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Patellar Tendinopathy: A Pitfall of ACL Reconstruction Rehab

ACL reconstruction is a common surgical procedure that aims to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. While the surgery is successful in restoring knee stability, it often leads to a long and challenging rehabilitation period. One of the complications that can arise during ACL reconstruction rehab is patellar tendinopathy, a condition that affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for patellar tendinopathy during ACL reconstruction rehab.

Causes:
Patellar tendinopathy can develop due to several reasons, including overuse, repetitive stress, and biomechanical imbalances. In the case of ACL reconstruction rehab, it can occur due to the following reasons:

  1. Increased stress on the patellar tendon due to altered biomechanics after surgery.
  2. Overuse of the patellar tendon during the rehabilitation exercises.
  3. Early return to sports or physical activities before the patellar tendon has fully healed.

Symptoms:
The most common symptom of patellar tendinopathy is pain in the knee, particularly in the area just below the kneecap. The pain can be sharp or dull, and it may worsen with activities that involve bending the knee, such as squatting or jumping. Other symptoms may include:

  1. Swelling and stiffness in the knee.
  2. Tenderness in the area just below the kneecap.
  3. Limited range of motion in the knee.

Treatment:
The primary goal of treating patellar tendinopathy during ACL reconstruction rehab is to reduce pain and inflammation while promoting healing of the tendon. Here are some treatment options that may be recommended:

  1. Rest and activity modification: Resting the knee and avoiding activities that exacerbate pain can help reduce stress on the patellar tendon. Your physical therapist may recommend modifying your activity level to avoid aggravating the tendon.
  2. Heavy slow resistance training: Research has shown that heavy slow resistance (HSR) training can be an effective treatment for patellar tendinopathy. HSR involves lifting weights slowly and under high tension, which can stimulate tendon healing and promote strength gains. Your physical therapist can design an HSR program tailored to your needs and goals.
  3. Eccentric exercise: Eccentric exercises involve lengthening the muscle while under tension, which can help strengthen the tendon and improve its ability to absorb force. Your physical therapist may incorporate eccentric exercises into your rehabilitation program.
  4. Manual therapy: Soft tissue mobilization, massage, and joint mobilization can be useful for reducing pain and improving mobility around the knee.
  5. Biomechanical correction: Your physical therapist may evaluate your movement patterns and identify any biomechanical imbalances that could be contributing to your patellar tendinopathy. Correcting these imbalances with targeted exercises or modifications to your movement patterns can reduce stress on the tendon.

Patellar tendinopathy during ACL reconstruction rehab can be a challenging condition, but with the right treatment, most people can recover and return to their previous level of activity. Treatment options for patellar tendinopathy during ACL reconstruction rehab focus on reducing pain and inflammation while promoting healing of the tendon through exercise and manual therapy. If you experience any symptoms of patellar tendinopathy during ACL reconstruction rehab, it’s essential to seek the help of a qualified physical therapist to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

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Speed Up Healing from Stress Fractures: The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Runners

As a runner, there is nothing more frustrating than being sidelined with an injury. Unfortunately, stress fractures are a common injury among runners, and they can be particularly frustrating to deal with because the treatment typically involves rest and limited activity. However, physical therapy can be a game-changer when it comes to healing from a stress fracture.

First, let’s talk about why rest alone may not be the best approach. While it’s true that rest is essential to allow the bone to heal, too much rest can actually be detrimental to the healing process. That’s because bone mineral density (BMD) can decrease during periods of inactivity. BMD is the measure of the amount of minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, in a certain amount of bone tissue. When there is not enough stress placed on the bone, osteoclasts (cells that break down bone tissue) can become more active than osteoblasts (cells that build new bone tissue), leading to a decrease in BMD.

This is where physical therapy comes in. Physical therapists are experts in designing exercise programs that promote healing and prevent further injury. With a stress fracture, the goal of physical therapy is to gradually introduce stress to the bone in a controlled way to stimulate osteoblasts and prevent a decrease in BMD. This can be achieved through exercises such as weight-bearing activities and resistance training, which can be tailored to each individual based on their specific injury and level of fitness.

One technique that has gained popularity in recent years is blood flow restriction (BFR) training. BFR involves using a cuff or wrap to partially occlude blood flow to the limb during exercise. This technique has been shown to increase muscle strength and size, but it may also have benefits for bone health. Research has shown that BFR can stimulate the release of growth hormone, which is essential for bone growth and maintenance. Additionally, BFR can lead to an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes the growth of new blood vessels and bone tissue.

In summary, physical therapy can be an effective way to speed up the healing process for runners with stress fractures. By gradually introducing stress to the bone through controlled exercise, physical therapists can promote bone health and prevent a decrease in BMD. Techniques such as BFR may also have additional benefits for bone health. If you’re a runner in The Midlands who is dealing with a stress fracture, consider reaching out to Vertex for expert physical therapy care. Our team of skilled therapists can design a personalized program to help you heal and get back to doing what you love.

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Vertex Pump & Run and 5K 

When is it? Saturday April 15th

Where is it? Vertex PT Specialists in Cayce, SC (located across from Krispy Kreme)

Who is it for? Anyone looking to test their strength and endurance, PR their 5K, or just come out to run/walk and have a good time!

The Vertex Pump & Run is an event that measures overall fitness by testing both strength and endurance.

In the competition, participants bench press a percentage of their body weight. Each lift (up to a maximum of 30 reps) reduces their 5-kilometer run time by 30 seconds. There will be ten (10) age/gender divisions. Depending on age, men must bench press 60% to 100% of their weight, and women 40% to 70% of their weight.

Weigh-in and bench press begin at 7:00 a.m. The running portion of the 5K Pump & Run starts at 8:00 a.m. Participants can choose to register for the 5K run/walk only, which also starts at 8:00 a.m.

The 5K race will be timed by Strictly Running and is part of Columbia Running Club’s Tour de Columbia. The race will start and finish at Vertex PT.

Entry to the Pump & Run or the Vertex 5K includes a T-shirt that is guaranteed if you register before April 1st!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 


Example:

  • A 45-year-old female who weighs in at 150 lbs will bench press 60% of her bodyweight for reps, which is 90 lbs.
  • She successfully bench presses 90 lbs for 15 reps.
  • She then runs a 5k and finishes in 24 minutes.
  • Her recorded time is therefore 16 minutes and 30 seconds, after reducing her 5k time by 7 minutes and 30 seconds due to her 15 successful bench press reps.

 

BENCH PRESS RULES

  • The lifter must lie on their back with their head, shoulders, and buttocks in contact with the bench surface. The lifter’s feet must be flat on the floor, and the shoes must not have an excessively thick sole that could elevate the heels. The lifter must position themselves correctly on the bench so that their eyes are directly under the bar.
  • The grip width of the barbell is not specified, but it must be evenly distributed on both sides of the lifter’s body. The lifter must grip the bar with both hands using a thumb-around grip. This grip must be maintained throughout the lift.
  • The lift begins when the barbell is lifted from the rack stands and lowered to the lifter’s chest. The lifter must lower the bar under control to touch their chest, and then immediately press the bar upward until their elbows are fully extended.
  • One repetition is counted when the lifter lifts the bar from their chest to the fully “locked out” position with the elbows extended. The lifter must hold the bar steady in this position before lowering the bar back down to their chest.
  • The lifter is allowed to rest at the top of the lift but not on the chest.
  • The lifter can perform a maximum of 30 unbroken reps before racking the bar. If the lifter fails to complete 30 reps, their final score will be the total number of reps completed.
  • A spotter will be present to ensure the lifter’s safety. The spotter must be ready to take the bar if the lifter cannot complete the rep or if the lifter requires assistance during the lift.
  • If the lifter racks the weight or requires the use of a spotter, the bench press or “pump” portion is complete, and the lifter’s last full rep will be counted towards their final score.

Course Map (Click this link to zoom in).

 

Race Day Schedule 

7:00 am – Packet pick up, Late Registration

7-7:30 am – Weigh in and Bench Press

8:00 am – 5K race begins for EVERYONE

10:00 am – Awards Ceremony

Packet Pick Up

Friday, April 14th – 8:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m

Saturday, April 15th – 7:00 a.m – 7:30 a.m

 

Registration Cost

5k Run – $40

Pump & Run – $45
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The Golden Rule As Business Philosophy – Brandon Vaughn, Vertex Physical Therapy – Ep. 31

Dr. Brandon Vaughn, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Vertex, Physical Therapy joins us on today’s Footnotes. In this episode we get to hear his thoughts on running a business, doing business in a caring profession, and learning how things should be done from your experiences.

Watch and listen here.

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