This article describes the treatment of the jumper’s knee of one the BBTS volleyball player.
Patient’s data
- gender: male
- age: 32 years
The BBTS Bielsko Biała player complained of a sore knee. The examination revealed soreness in the region of the tibial tuberosity and the distal part of the patellar ligament. The medical interview confirmed intermittent incidents of ‘jumper’ knee syndrome – patellar ligament enthesopathy and multiple calcifications in the epicondylar area diagnosed by ultrasound and confirmed by MRI. The athlete had previously been treated with a shockwave. The athlete’s knee area was injected 2 times with growth factor (PRP).
Therapy
As part of the therapy, a series of ultrasound treatments performed 2 x daily for 6 days with etofenamate gel was planned. The treatment area is the entire patellar ligament area, the tibial tuberosity and the epicondylar region. In addition, treatments included clavitherapy, quadriceps trigger point therapy, patella mobilisation and transverse patellar ligament massage. During treatment, the athlete took an active part in sports training supported by taping of the painful knee.
Ultrasound parameters in the first 3 days of treatment:
- Duty factor [%]: 50
- Pulsation frequency [Hz]: 100
- Intensity (W/cm2): 1.5
- Treatment time: 8 min
Ultrasound parameters on the following 3 days of treatment
- Duty factor: 75%
- Pulsation frequency [Hz]: 100
- Intensity (W/cm2):
- Treatment time: 10 min
Observation results
After ultrasound therapy and other rehabilitation treatments, the pain symptoms disappeared and the athlete was able to continue sports training without restrictions. The athlete was put on a prevention programme and given a special set of exercises in training.
