Pes Hellerinus Tendinit: Symptoms And Treatment

Pes hellerinus tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons that make up the anatomical structure of the  pes hellerinus. It is located in the inner part of the knee, just below it. Runners are the part of the population that most often suffers from this disorder.

Are you a runner? Have you ever faced this problem?

Read more about how it occurs and what you can do to treat it in this article.

What is pes hellerinus tendinitis?

The term, tendinitis, refers to inflammation of the tendons. In this particular case, it affects the anatomical structure of the inner knee, just below the joint. This structure consists of three muscles, which come from below and form part of the leg. These are the following:

• The semitendinosus  is part of the back of the thigh and participates in bending and extending the knee.
• The gracilis  is located in the inner part of the thigh. It is responsible for bringing the knee close and for bending the leg.

• Sartorius:  The muscle has this name because it starts at the hip, goes over the knee and reaches the tibia. It also participates in the movement of the hip joint.

To summarize, the tendonitis of the pes hellerinus consists of irritation and inflammation of the tendons of the three muscles and the area where they penetrate the knee. In short  , it is a disease of the knee joint.

Pes hellerinus tendinitis is a disorder that sometimes affects runners.

Who affects pes hellerinus tendinitis?

Although this disorder can affect anyone, certain groups are at greater risk. We refer to those whose habits or traits make them more susceptible to developing this disorder.

E.g:

• Runners:  People who run often have a greater tendency to develop this type of disorder. This is because running is a sport that has a big impact on the joints. These efforts irritate the cartilage and tendons as well as the muscles themselves.
• People who are overweight:  In this case, the joints constantly make an extra effort, especially those in the upper limbs. Each movement overloads the joints with the person’s extra weight, damaging the skeletal points of the supporting muscle. This affects their knees, ankles and hips.
• People with anatomical problems:  Here we refer to things such as flat feet, deformities in the pelvis and prominent bones. The consequences of these things are that the knee is not able to perform its normal movements or that it is overloaded. The result is wear and tear on the tendons.

In addition, certain bad habits can prevent muscles from relaxing as they should when you have finished exercising. For example, it is not to stretch out when one is done, or to use the wrong footwear. Continued tension makes it easier for these injuries to occur.

The symptoms of pes hellerinus tendinitis

The most common symptom is pain. It is the result of inflammation of the tendons in a reduced space. Since they do not have room to expand, the fluid that accumulates from the damage has nowhere to penetrate. It therefore causes an unpleasant pressure.

The characteristics of the pain vary from person to person, and also with the intensity and duration. In addition, the movements by which it appears are also variable. However, it is most common for individuals to experience persistent pain that is difficult to relieve. The pain can actually last at night as well.

Sometimes  when exercising or warming up, the pain can be reduced. However, once the physical activity is over, the pain returns. This is about the muscular metabolism and the way in which it distributes chemical substances inside the cells.

How to treat it?

Applying cold directly to the knee can help relieve the symptoms of pes hellerinus tendinitis.

The correct treatment of these types of injuries is very important  as complications can make this disorder become chronic. The first thing to do, of course, is to go to a specialist to confirm or rule out this type of tendonitis.

The treatment will then be based on a combination of different things:

• Rest:  It is essential to rest the joint and the affected muscles in order to relieve the irritation and inflammation. It is best to raise the leg with a pillow below the knee if possible so that the area can rest.
• Cold and anti-inflammatory drugs:  Massage with ice is helpful when it comes to reducing inflammation. In addition, in moments of very acute pain, one can take anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Physiotherapy:  A physiotherapist will be the one who can decide the best treatment for each case. Most often, it will consist of a combination of different approaches including massage, cryotherapy, ultrasound and bandages.

Do not neglect your knees

Pes hellerinus tendinitis is a fairly common disorder that can affect anyone. However, runners and people who are overweight are more susceptible to developing this type of injury.

Maintain good habits when it comes to exercising, stretching and using the necessary equipment. These reservations are fundamental when it comes to prevention. At the same time, people who are overweight should adjust their lifestyle to control this risk factor.