The Quadriceps Tendon

The knee is one of the most unique joints in the body. The kneecap is the largest 'sesamoid' a bone wrapped inside a tendon that connects the large muscles on the front of the thigh, the quadriceps muscles to the lower leg bone.

The quadriceps tendon helps us straighten our leg; this part of the knee is like a lever made-up of the quadriceps muscle group, quadriceps tendon, patella, patellar retinaculum, patellar ligament and various soft tissue in the area. The second job of this group of muscles and tendons and ligaments is very important for stabilizing the leg.

Quadriceps tendinitis (also spelled tendonitis) is a painful condition affecting the quadriceps tendon above the patella (kneecap). The quadriceps group of muscle (individually called the vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis and the overlying rectus femoris) is the largest in the front of the thigh and is very important for stabilizing the leg. The quadriceps tendon connects the quadriceps to the tibia (shins) via the patellar tendon, which surrounds the knee cap itself. The movement of the knee known as the quadriceps mechanism involves the patella (knee cap), the patella tendon, the quadriceps and its tendon. They all work together to extend the leg to straight.

Quadriceps tendonitis is caused by repetitive use of this tendon. This condition is most common in an athlete who is in involved in sports that require lots of jumping such as basketball, volleyball and jogging, or in a sport that requires a lot of stopping and starting. Little tears in the tendon and tendon sheath will present as pain and inflammation if these tears are not allowed to heal with rest.

Inflammation in the quadriceps tendon is often due to irritation and/or micro-tearing of the collagen fibers. When the fibers tear, they become weaker, inflamed and swollen causing pain and tenderness in the area.

There are 2 types of tendonitis, acute and chronic. Acute quadriceps tendonitis refers to inflammation that comes on suddenly, usually from a tendon strain or overloading it during exercise. Chronic quadriceps tendonitis occurs over time and generally results from long term repetitive use of the quadriceps tendon.

With both types of tendinitis, scar tissue develops on the tendon as the tears begin to heal. This scar tissue mends the tears in an abnormal way leaving the collagen fibers weaker and more prone to further injury. In the case of chronic quadriceps tendinitis, a build up of scar tissue over a long period of time will make the tendon and the entire knee joint more prone to re-injury.

Other conditions which can be a cause of anterior (front) knee pain are commonly confused with quadriceps tendonitis. These conditions include patellar tendonitis, synovial plicae, chondromalacia, patello-femoral subluxation and hyper-pressure, fat pad impingement or Hoffa's syndrome and patello-femoral arthritis.

Symptoms of Quadriceps Tendinitis

If you are suffering from Quadriceps Tendinitis pain in the area at the bottom of the thigh, just above the knee cap. The most noticeable pain is when you move your knee, the more you move the more tenderness develops in the area of the tendon attachment just above the kneecap.

• Pain when tightening or flexing the quadriceps with a straight leg.
• Pain when the top of the kneecap is pressed.
• Irritation or pain when moving from a crouched position to a standing position.
• Stiffness or tightness in the morning when you get up or the day following any activity or exercise that irritated the area.
• Tenderness and swelling in or around the quadriceps tendon
• You may feel a sensation of warmth or burning pain.

Causes of Quadriceps Tendinitis

Quadriceps tendonitis is caused by repetitive use of this tendon. This condition is most common in an athlete who are involved in sports that require a lot of jumping such as basketball, volleyball and jogging, or in a sport that requires a lot of stopping and starting.

Inflammation in the quadriceps tendon is often due to irritation and/or micro-tearing of the collagen fibers. When the fibers tear, they become weaker, inflamed and swollen causing pain and tenderness in the area.

There are 2 types of tendonitis, acute and chronic. Acute quadriceps tendonitis refers to inflammation that comes on suddenly, usually from a tendon strain or overloading it during exercise. Chronic quadriceps tendonitis occurs over time and generally results from long term repetitive use of the quadriceps tendon.

With both types of tendinitis, scar tissue develops on the tendon as the tears begin to heal. This scar tissue mends the tears in an abnormal way leaving the collagen fibers weaker and more prone to further injury. In the case of chronic quadriceps tendinitis, a build up of scar tissue over a long period of time will make the tendon and the entire knee joint more prone to re-injury.

Quadriceps Tendinitis Risk Factors include:

• Participating in "jumping" sports such as basketball, volleyball and jogging.
• Having diabetes, gout or para-hypothyroidism.
• Incorrect footwear, while participating in a sport
• Age can be a factor because as we grow older our tendons become more brittle and therefore prone to injury.
• Activities that require sharp, sudden changes of direction or lots of stopping and starting.
• Mis-alignment of the foot, ankle, and leg including flat feet, leg length differences, tracking abnormalities, etc.

Do You Really Have Quadriceps Tendinitis?

Other conditions which can be a cause of anterior (front) knee pain are commonly confused with quadriceps tendonitis.

Quadriceps Tendinosis - Tendinosis refers to a non-inflammatory, degeneration of the collagen fibers in a tendon. This tissue break down is often caused by repetitive stress on the tendon fibers and the failure for the fibers to heal.

Partial Quadriceps Tendon Tears - Usually seen in people over the age of 40 as the tissue as part of aging degenerates. A sudden trauma to the tendon may cause it to tear or may spontaneously tear with people suffering from diabetes mellitus, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, end-stage renal disease, prolonged systemic steroid use or hyperparathyroidism. Early surgical repair within 27hrs is the key to successful healing of the tendon. (source: National Library of Medicine)

Quadriceps Tendon Complete Ruptures - If you are suffering from a complete rupture of the quadriceps tendon you will have a very painful and swollen knee. The rupture has left you unable to walk or you may walk with assistance or holding your leg as straight as possible. You may notice a gap in the tendon just above the kneecap where the muscle and tendon have broken away from the bone. Early surgical repair within 27hrs is the key to successful healing of the tendon. (source: National Library of Medicine)

Synovial Plicae - Weakness in the knee as if it is unstable while walking up or down stairs or slopes. Extension of the knee causes pain, and you may hear a cracking noise when flexing and straightening your knee. At the 12th week of life the synovial plica forms in the knee - as we grow and mature, this tissue can become entangled within the knee and is unable to dissolve and remains through to adulthood. It is estimated that 50% of the population has this condition and it is common for this condition to be over-looked by doctors. (source: National Library of Medicine)

Calcific Tendinitis - due to a chemical reaction in the body. After a soft tissue injury the tissue is healing but instead of healthy tissue, it creates calcium in the tendon. If you are suffering calcific tendinitis of the quadriceps tendon, you may have pain and stiffness that may last for a few weeks to two months and suddenly disappear. If calcific tendinitis returns a number of times (chronic) you may notice your pain linger for a few months to years.

Chondromalacia Patella - Causes a dull, aching pain in the front of your knee. There is damage or softening of the cartilage on the underside of the knee cap. Pain while walking up or down stairs, kneeling or squatting or after sitting for long periods of time with your knee bent.

Hoffa's syndrome or fat pad impingement - Pain, inflammation, and swelling at the front of the knee cap and along the sides of the patellar tendon. Increased pain when standing for long periods of time, squatting or using stairs and or pain when you extended you knee. Hoffa's syndrome is caused by at pad either suffers a contusion or an injury, resulting in damage and swelling. This can lead to the Hoffa's pad becoming trapped between the femur and the patella every time the leg is extended.

Patellofemoral Subluxation - Pain on the sides and around the knee cap. The kneecap slides up and down in a groove on the end of the thigh bone (trochlear groove). In some people the kneecap is pulled toward the outside of the knee and the kneecap does not slide in its groove. This condition normally affect adolescents and younger children.

Patellofemoral Arthritis - Causes pain in the front of your knee and can make it difficult to kneel or climb stairs. The kneecap slides up and down in a groove on the end of the thigh bone (trochlear groove). Patellofemoral arthritis occurs when the cartilage along the trochlear groove and on the underside of the patella wears down and becomes inflamed.

Conditions that may be associated with quadriceps tendonitis include diabetes, hyper-pressure, gout, and para-hypothyroidism.

Quadriceps Tendonitis Diagnosis

A visit to your doctor is really the best and only way for a proper diagnosis of any type of knee pain. To help your doctor achieve a proper diagnosis, he/she will begin with a medical history about you, your current condition and symptoms. He/she will inquire about the intensity of your present pain, the duration of your symptoms and the limitations you are experiencing. Details about what instigated the problem, when it started, and whether or not you have ever had treatments for this or a similar condition in the past, are very helpful in assessing your injury.

Diagnostic testing may be ordered help discover your source of knee pain. Often used to rule out other conditions.

X-rays will provide a two-dimensional image of the overall structure of your knee. They are helpful in identifying knee instability, abnormal bone shapes (bone spurs or bone cysts, fractures, wear and tear on the joints).

MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) will provide more detailed information and will help to evaluate the soft tissues in and around your knee (muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues). It can identify ligament or tendon damage, and can help to determine the extent of your injury, the displacement and degree of your tear or inflammation, as well as other associated knee conditions.

The good news is that most cases of quadriceps Tendonitis will heal with simple home conservative treatments and surgery is often not needed!

It's generally understood by doctors and surgeons, that surgery will introduce more scar tissue into the soft tissue of the knee. This added scar tissue will be problematic, requiring visits to the clinic and conservative treatment options post-surgery. This is why surgery is only performed as a last resort for chronic tendonitis injuries that won't heal with conservative treatment methods.

Step 1 - Reduce Pain and Swelling with Cold Compression

The first step for conservative treatment of your quadricep tendonitis is to reduce the swelling to "open up" the area for more blood flow. Anyone in the health-care business knows that your blood supplies the oxygen and much needed nutrients required to heal tendonitis injuries. This is why for years, doctors, trainers, and other medical professionals have recommended RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to treat the pain and swelling of fresh injuries, chronic pain, and after any re-injury.

This is important because once blood vessels are blocked or damaged, they can no longer carry oxygenated blood to your damaged tendon and tissues begin to break-down. Without cold compression, tissues break down further because they can't get the oxygen they need to survive. By limiting the amount of damage done to your tendons, you also limit the amount of healing that needs to occur. This is a very important step to heal acute or chronic tendon injuries faster and with less pain!

Step 2 - Improve Circulation, Soften Scar Tissue & Prevent Re-Injury with a TShellz Wrap^®

After the inflammation in your knee has been reduced, moving the tendon and applying a local circulatory stimulation device like the Knee TShellz Wrap^® is really what is needed for completing the recovery cycle. This is critical because tendons are known to receive very little natural blood flow and blood flow is really how your body is able to heal itself. When the tendon tissue is damaged, the already-reduced blood flow is decreased down to a trickle which is why movement is encouraged - it helps get blood flow to where it is needed.

Blood flow (healthy circulation) is an important part of natural tissue healing. Injured tendons take the nutrients available in local blood flow (like oxygen and healing agents) to get rid of any damaged tissue and start growing healthy tissue.

TShellz Wraps^® contain a unique Carbon Fiber Energy Pad which is flexible and will shape to conform to your body. This Energy Pad emits a uniform wave of perfectly safe energy over its entire surface. This energy is absorbed by soft tissue in the treatment area, opening blood vessels, resulting in an increase in blood flow. Increased blood circulation is what your body needs to accelerate the healing of soft tissue and this is why we recommend the TShellz Wrap^®.

The TShellz Wrap^® is an FDA Registered Medical Device and is suitable for use in therapeutic clinics and FROM HOME. It is completely safe for people and patients to use for themselves.

The technology found in a TShellz Wrap^® has been used for decades in the worlds of professional and amateur sports - a contributing factor as to why athletes seem to recover from injuries so quickly.

Have you ever wondered by an athlete can return to activity after 3 or 4 weeks following a tendon injury - while your average person takes much longer to return back to normal? The secret isn't really that much of a secret - it involves consistent treatments (meaning multiple times a day) using a treatment like the TShellz Wrap^® to stimulate blood flow to the injured tissues. Most athletes have the luxury of using in-house facilities many times per day.

How many us can afford the time and money to visit a clinic multiple times a day? Very few indeed. This is how you can gain some of the advantages that athletes enjoy in their injury recovery - by using a device like the TShellz Wrap^® two or three times a day on a consistent basis.

What Else Makes the TShellz Wrap^® So Special?

We believe the TShellz Wrap^® to be one of the most effective home treatments to increase localized blood flow in and around the treatment area.

We can promise that you will receive a product that is designed to be safe and does what it is supposed to do...quickly relieve pain and aid in the recovery from tendon, muscle and other soft tissue injuries.

The unit plugs into a standard wall outlet to get its power. The nice thing about the power supply is that the same unit can be used in North America and overseas as well. It has the capability to operate between 110v and 230v.

The TShellz Wrap^® has a special signal controller that can be set for 3 different power levels of application (3=High, 2=Medium, 1=Low). The cord is long enough that you can sit or lie comfortably and watch TV, read or surf the net while you're using it.

Treatments are max 30 minutes in duration and the device can be worn over clothing. This allows you to use the device at work, at home, or really anywhere you have access to an electrical outlet.

• When treating any soft tissue injury, an effective treatment will increase blood flow to the injury while the joint is immobile.
• This increase in blood flow will help maximize the body's own capability to heal itself.

Let me tell you, we appreciate all the feedback we have received over the years. We have had many medical professionals, athletes and everyday people call and write to tell us about their positive experiences with our devices and the company in general. It never gets old hearing about the successes and it provides us with the motivation to continue doing what we do best - provide individuals with options to heal from the comfort of their own home.

Below is a small sample of some of the Customer Service comments we have received from customers...

If you're tired of being told that resting, drugs and surgery are the only answers to your elbow injury.... Be optimistic, because there are effective alternatives for you.

We will never claim our products will work for everyone. That is simply impossible to achieve. Everyone has a different capacity for recovery and different circumstances behind their injuries and/or conditions.

In addition, some people may have a hard time sticking with recommended protocol in order to achieve benefits from our devices. Quite simply, our clients that have had successful outcomes have made a small effort to invest 60 minutes a day into the program. If you do the same, chances are you will be very happy with the outcome. The fact that our very low return rate speaks volumes as to the confidence we have that our products will be effective for you! I mean with a full 60 day money back guarantee on our wraps, there really is no risk in trying.

Right after you place an order, email us and we will have a plan developed immediately so you will be able to get started upon arrival of your parcel. We can't promise you miraculous results, however, we do promise to do everything we can to help you with your condition.

Everything you have read up to now has hopefully given you some hope.

However, words are meaningless unless a company stands strongly behind the products they sell. This is what sets us apart from others...we offer people a comprehensive, 60 day, full 100% money back guarantee. We take on all of the risk because we know our products work well for the overwhelming majority of people who purchase them.

We Will Support You Every Step of the Way

You are never alone when making a purchase from us. When we say we stand behind our products, we truly mean it!

If any question or concern arises, simply send us an email at any time (we check our emails constantly all throughout the day and night - even on holidays!). We will respond as soon as possible.

Click HERE to Go To Our Online Store We take all major credit cards and Paypal. If you are on your mobile phone, Click to Call Our Office (toll free continental NA).

Simply call toll free 1-866-237-9608 to place an order with one of our knowledgeable Product Advisers. They have the ability to answer all your questions...ensuring you only receive the products you need.

Product Advisors are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday.

North America Toll Free 1-866-237-9608

Outside North America +1-705-532-1671

We Stand Behind All Our Promises With An Iron-Clad Guarantee

• Guarantee #1

  Use your products diligently for up to 60 days and you will experience a significant reduction in pain. If not, I encourage you call us to send back the items for a 100% refund.

• Guarantee #2

  You will not be left in the dark after purchasing any product from us. AidYourTendon Advisors and Product Specialists are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday.

• Guarantee #3

  Your order is guaranteed to be shipped within 24 hours on every business day.

• Guarantee #4

  All purchases receive a one year, full replacement warranty with guaranteed, prompt service.

• Guarantee #5

  You could save hundreds of dollars and possibly more, by getting back to work sooner.

Overall, we are able to be cost effective and value oriented due to two major reasons:

1. Word is spreading and as a result, our sales are increasing. With this increase, we can achieve economies of scale...meaning we receive the best component pricing because our volume is high.


2. We keep our overhead costs low by selling only on-line versus setting up costly distribution channels offline.

Think about it – you can now have the ability to treat your pain from the comfort of your own home while saving money in the process.

Best of all, you are fully protected when making a purchase from us as we offer a 60 day, full money back guarantee.

Living with pain is never easy as it affects your entire lifestyle. Nothing is more important than making the proper decision when it comes to treating your muscle injury. Most methods only mask the problems or provide temporary relief; they do not treat the pain at its source.

AidYourTendon stands out in this regard as our goal is to help you heal for the longer-term.

The bottom line is, you are welcome to try our products for a full 2 months. If you do not receive the benefits that others have experienced, call us to let us know you will return your purchase back to us and we will issue a prompt & full refund. There will be no hard feelings.

The fastest option you have to get our product into your hands as soon as possible is by placing your order online - at this very moment..

Or, Call Our Office. We are open Monday to Friday to allow you place an order over the phone. Simply call toll free 1-866-237-9608 to place an order with one of our knowledgeable Product Advisors. They have the ability to answer all your questions...ensuring you only receive the products you need.

If you choose to order through our online shop, know that we keep no credit card data on file. Once the transaction is completed, the credit information disappears from our internal systems.

As you can see, ordering from us is a very easy and safe process, no matter if choosing to order on-line or over the phone.

Are you still unsure about placing an order? let me address some questions that may causing some hesitation...

What is the success rate of the TShellz Wraps^®? Do they really work?

We try and keep in touch with a large percentage of our customers, and we encourage them to do the same. In doing so, we have received a lot of feedback as we have been in the business since 2008.

We can say that the return rate on our products is only around 5 to 10% any given month. That is exceptional by anyone's standards. Therefore, we can safely indicate that the overwhelming majority of people who purchase from us do achieve benefits with our products.

How much time do I need to dedicate for treatments? Are the products easy to use?

The TShellz Wraps^® are very easy devices to use. After one or two uses, you will engage in the treatments with ease. Very detailed instructions are included and you are always welcome to contact us by phone or email if the need for help arises.

In regards to the TShellz Wrap^®, it is ideal to use the device two or three times a day on average. Each treatment session is a maximum of 20 minutes in duration and the device will turn off automatically at that time. Typically, people use the TShellz Wrap^® before bed, upon awakening (or not long after) and one other time during the day when the opportunity presents itself. For people in an office setting, many will use the device at work (as it can be worn over clothing). For others, they will use the device an our or two after work.

A Cold Compress or Ice Pack is primarily used following activity that stresses the injured tissues (following work, after a sports activity, or just suffering a general re-injury). This is done to reduce inflammation and to minimize tissue damage. Treatments are 15 to 20 minutes in duration.

How long has MendMeShop been in business

We established our firm in December of 2005. Our track record in this field continues to grow and we plan on being around for many decades to come.

What is your return policy? Is it the standard 30 days?

We go above and beyond what other companies offer - we offer a full 60 day money back guarantee with no restocking fees.

Product Advisors are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday.

I want to learn more about Post-Surgery Recovery

I want to learn more about TShellz Wrap^® Circulatory Boost

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I want to learn more about Tendonitis Treatments

I want to learn more about Tendonitis Surgery

During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort at the location of your soft tissue injury until the pain and inflammation settle. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!