Sore Knee From Dancing

I was dancing several weeks ago, and I did a lot of foot stomping. The next day my right knee was very sore. Since then I have good days and bad, but the condition is not totally gone. I cannot bend my right leg the entire way, and I have pain in the inner and outer portion of the knee. I have been told to massage the tendons on both sides of the knee. Any other suggestions?

Dr. Brian J. Cole:

The knee joint is comprised mainly of soft tissues that can be irritated by excessive activities. You may be experiencing patellar tendonitis, or what is commonly known as "Jumper's Knee." This condition occurs when the tendon that connects the patella (kneecap) to the tibia (shinbone) becomes inflamed. Jumper's Knee is one of the more common, and probably the most painful, of all "overuse injuries" for recreational athletes.

In basketball and other physical activities such as dancing, Jumper's Knee is caused by repetitive micro trauma to the patellar tendon. Think about this: when you jump or stomp, you're applying force to your patellar tendon in excess of 15 times your body weight! It's remarkable that Jumper's Knee isn't more prevalent in recreational athletes.

Treatment Options:

Massage can increase the circulation in the soft tissues of the knee, helping to reduce irritation, inflexibility, and even swelling. However, since it has been several weeks since your injury, it would probably be a good idea to visit a sports medicine orthopaedic physician. Through examination and diagnostic testing, your physician can determine whether or not your pain is caused by a more serious injury.

For more information about Dr. Cole and the Sports Medicine physicians of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES or contact us through this Web site.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice of your physician, nor to be a complete description of every aspect of a condition, nor a complete list of possible side effects of any medication. Decisions concerning your treatment should be based on your own health care provider's evaluation of your personal health history and current condition. Consult your physician before following any of the suggestions on this Web site. All articles on this Web site represent the personal opinions of the individual authors and should not be construed as official policy of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.