Should You ICE Patellar Tendonitis?

Turns out that icing tendons is only a good idea in two situations.

Video by Martin Koban, author of Beating Patellar Tendonitis.

[rolandclark]

Yes, more videos please. I've been dealing with Tendonitis for almost a year and a half, and your methods have shown the only improvement I've gotten.

[midknight]

Your content is awesome. I wish i had come across it earlier. I struggled with patella tendinitis from an old soccer injury for 2 years. Last year i ruptured the tendon fully whilst playing soccer. The road to recovery has been long and hard but I'm almost there. Unfortunately, i've developed what I call acute tendinitis on my other knee. Your videos have been great for me to manage my rehab as well as manage my tendinitis on my "good" knee. Back to running and dead lifting and squatting now, getting better each day. thanks bro

[beezergood]

2.5 years ago I began to develop symptoms which presented as patellar tendonitis just above the tibial tubercle. This gradually degenerated into excruciating pain whenever I 'surprised' the knee by shifting my weight onto it suddenly (e.g. when you stumble slightly or make an unexpected sudden step). An X-Ray showed nothing. An MRI scan was diagnosed by my local private hospital orthopaedic consultant as inflammation in the tendon. This is why I searched the internet and started watching your videos. Months of physio led to zero improvement. I then sought a second opinion from a consultant at another hospital who reviewed the same MRI scan with his radiologist and said "that's a cyst, not inflammation". He operated and scraped out of the tendon a hard 20x10x10mm lump which was identified as a Giant Cell Tumour of the Tendon Sheath - sounds scary, but it's benign (a cyst is a benign tumour). Immediately after the op my knee was better than it had been for over a year. I was warned that the cycst could regrow, but now 15 months after the op I only have a trivial amount of pain from the scar tissue when I kneel on it, but otherwise it's all good.


Some years previously I had a similar problem in the other knee - extreme pain behind the kneecap when I jolted or surprised the knee. Again this was diagnosed from the MRI scan (same hospital as above, different consultant) as inflammation. Months of physio had no effect. Back to the consultant who said "well there is a small tear in the cartilage". "Could that be causing the pain?" I asked - "Oh yes, that's what's causing the pain" was the reply! WTF!!!! One small keyhole op to snip out the torn bit of cartilage and the knee was immediately better. It's hard not to conclude that the consultants have an interest in sending you to their physio department.... A friend had an identical experience with a 3rd consultant (torn cartilage, sent for months of physio) at the same hospital. It was he who put me onto the consultant at the other hospital whom he went to for a 2nd opioion and who immediately diagnosed & successfully operated on the torn cartilage.


The moral of the story is that even if you go privately (I'm in the UK, I have health insurance) the hardest part of the battle seems to be to get the correct diagnosis.

[xuancangnguyen]

I'd never say no to a series that has the potential to help me even more than you already did. Having followed your previous tips and exercises helped me to get better again and still enjoy playing Badminton! So I'd look forward to a series =)

[dougwilson]

Love the short FAQ video idea. I've seen great results using your program. Went from struggling to get in and out of my car to being able to compete in triathlons and marathons again.

[davidsamuels]

Thank you Martin! I find all of your tips very helpful in supporting my elimination of this lovely knee pain.

[annabelleb.]

This is interesting...I've. noticed heat feels good on old injuries when the pain is not severe. Thank you.

[jborrelli]

Why wouldnt your ice wrap be in your freezer? Lol

[Phoresight]

Love these vids, they're so helpful. Keep it up!

[enantiodromiaa]

Absolutely, would like to see more of your videos!

[Whatsyourproblemhuh]

✋🏼CHRONIC AND HEAT! And please make more of these 😭

[leogiouldasis]

Really helpful,
I have pattelar tendonitis for almost 5 months now. Icing works when there is much pain, but i noticed that heat works better now (eg after a hot bath)
that i have the issue for so many months and pain is not much.

[Condition_ONE]

These topical segments addressing tendinopathy are an excellent idea. 👍

[katief]

Really helpful after feeling like the icing wasn’t giving relief to a long-standing issue and tightness in my knee. Warmth has been more soothing and relaxed my knee

[mrcamera]

hi ive had knee tendonitis for months now and i have done rehab exercises but it never seems to heal.. do you have any ideas of what i should do?

[dunkemgood]

I’m super athletic and play basketball, and I’ve been dealing with jumpers knee for two years and it’s frustrating. Any help would be great. And tips

[anasarmiento]

I rupture 8mm of patellar tendon and the tendon looks healed but my knee it swells up. Your videos are so helpful and do help me a lot please more videos about rehab for tendinitis

[ArcaderGames]

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you so much !

[PeterEss]

These short videos are great. Appreciate your help and passion, Martin!

[JamesDoyleJAMSO]

Great important tips and insights. Keep them coming