Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 73-80, January 2009

Treating patellar tendinopathy with Fascial Manipulation

  • Alessandro Pedrelli, PT

      Affiliations

    • Corso U. Comandini, 12/B, 47023 Cesena, Italy
    • ,
  • Carla Stecco, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Via A Gabelli 65, 35127 Padova, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +390498272327; fax: +390498272319.
    • ,
  • Julie Ann Day, PT

      Affiliations

    • Centro Socio Sanitario dei Colli, Physiotherapy, Azienda Ulss 16, Padova, Italy

Received 31 March 2008; received in revised form 20 May 2008; accepted 2 June 2008.

Summary 

According to Fascial Manipulation theory, patellar tendon pain is often due to uncoordinated quadriceps contraction caused by anomalous fascial tension in the thigh. Therefore, the focus of treatment is not the patellar tendon itself, but involves localizing the cause of this incoordination, considered to be within the muscular fascia of the thigh region.

Eighteen patients suffering from patellar tendon pain were treated with the Fascial Manipulation technique. Pain was assessed (in VAS) before (VAS 67.8/100) and after (VAS 26.5/100) treatment, plus a follow-up evaluation at 1 month (VAS 17.2/100).

Results showed a substantial decrease in pain immediately after treatment (p<0.0001) and remained unchanged or improved in the short term.

The results show that the patellar tendon may be only the zone of perceived pain and that interesting results can be obtained by treating the muscular fascia of the quadriceps muscle, whose alteration may cause motor incoordination and subsequent pathology.

Keywords: Fascia, Patellar tendinopathy, Fascial Manipulation, Myofascial unit, Centre of coordination

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PII: S1360-8592(08)00093-4

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.06.002

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Pages 73-80, January 2009

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