Jumper's Knee??`

[JMP8928]

I've developed tendonitis in my takeoff knee, and ive been told by trainers its fairly common in athletes who compete in jumping events. I jumped all summer with no problem, but Just last weekend at a meet at the AF academy it flared up like crazy and now going up and down stairs is painful..... ne body have ne bright ideas (aside from the ice and anti-inflamitories)?

[souleman]

You ain't gonna like this.......but, I think it's something you gotta get used too....to some extent. Mine started when I was a Freshman in highschool. Last time successfully vaulted was 9 years after highschool, and that soar knee reared it's ugly head almost immediately. I don't know how I did it but I was able to block it out from the time I started my run till the time I hit the pit. Being older and now with a few spots of artheritis and bursitis lurking in this old body of mine, the best way I've found to control the pain is by working on the strength of those areas. It's an inflamation in that area is my guess which needs to be addressed first. That's a stay off of it deal, but that's gonna be hard to do 'cause I know now you're very busy getting your training and the like done right now for the upcoming season. I really don't have a concrete answer for you but I thought it might be a little comforting to know "you're not alone". If you get it figured out please let me know 'cause I know I will be dealing with the same thing this spring and summer when I start vaulting again.
Later.................Mike

[JMP8928]

oh, i def. know im not alone... thats why i figured this was a good place to ask. thanks for the advice

justin

[Robert schmitt]

I would back off any uneccessary running, jumping, and kicking if you play soccor on the side right now and see if you can get this to heal now. I think Zack lost much of a season due to this same injury a year or two ago. Get on a stationary bike to warm up and pedal with light resistance before practice don't run to warm up. Vault once a week (don't make this an "epic" long practice either) do some short run drills another day-not back to back and spend the rest of the practice days doing Bubkas, high bar, rings, what ever you have available that dosn't require running.

More important what's causing this? Are you slowing down at takeoff, jamming your take off foot down? What other events activities do you do?How old are you? did you just go thru a growth spurt? You might need a PT to look at your running mechanics, you might need orthodics also. It also can be caused by a problem in your Sacro-illiac joint or possibly lumbar spine which a chiropractor can help with.

[JMP8928]

well, im 19 and vault on my own. and i'm known for a stop step on take off.... no growth spurts or anything like that.... if pain persists through out the season, a PT sounds like a great idea.

thanks

justin

[Robert schmitt]

and i'm known for a stop step on take off....
justin

That's what you need to fix to stop the tendonitis!!!!