How to Diagnose Tendonitis vs Patellofemoral [Understanding KNEE PAIN]

In today's video, I share with you exactly how I evaluate patients with knee pain.
If you're unsure whether you're dealing with tendonitis or patellofemoral pain syndrome, this video will provide you with the tools to tell the difference and take the first steps towards recovery.
Join me as I walk you through my comprehensive evaluation process. I'll demonstrate specific techniques and tests to help you identify the characteristics that distinguish tendonitis from patellofemoral pain syndrome. By understanding the unique features of each condition, you'll be able to tailor your approach to address your specific knee pain.
Armed with this knowledge, you'll gain clarity on your condition and discover the initial steps you can take based on the evaluation results. I'm here to provide you with the insights and guidance you need to overcome knee pain and regain your mobility.
Subscribe to my channel now to access this valuable video and stay updated on the latest advancements in knee pain management.
Other helpful videos on knee pain:
1) 4 Tips for Knee Pain: • Get Rid of Knee Pain F...
2) How to Fix Tendonitis: • How to Fix Knee Pain [...
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_______________________________
Music credits
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[@npackard14]

Does anybody else just want a full body evaluation from him? 😂

[@justynabieniek9900]

Yep! I am with you on that one ☺️

[@phatchav]

Good god yes!! 🙌

[@cachi-7878]

Oh boy, the nymphomaniacs are out and about…hahahaha!

[@jahnubaruah4624]

I 😆

[@lazry3208]

My whole body is full of unbalances:(

[@danibs7860]

I have fixed my Patellar tendonitis after years of suffering and i wanna tell you my feedback . I am a powerlifter so I had and still have many workouts in the gym . This is what helped me : Started doing all exercises under rpe 7 and progressievly upgrading to maximum of rpe 7 . Warming up a lot more . My warmups used to last for like a minute or two . You really need more than that . Make sure your fingers and whole feet is stuck to the ground while squats and other lifts . I'm stretching out my quads and doing some sets of bulgarian split squats combined with quad stretch as a part of squat . Do not rapidly increase weight and work the way up . I used to train 20kg》80kg 》120 Now i'm doing 20,40,60,80,100 When at home perform some bw squats and hold for couple secs in the bottom position . Hope i help someone and remember . Proper form and RPE will solve 90% of the problem

[@marym6613]

Thank you!!!

[@fitlifeconrad]

RPE?

[@danibs7860]

@@fitlifeconrad (keeping reps in reserve)

[@moreasmorebaes9996]

@@fitlifeconrad rate or percieved exertion, its usually measured with the accentric motions time or RIR (reps in reserve).

[@moreasmorebaes9996]

@@danibs7860 Honestly My issue is I can't do this for a lot of my lifts, the gradual build up tends to fatigue which definitely limits me on my Deadlift, squat in my experience it wasn't that much of an issue. Also for clarities sake I don't have tendonitis, just mobility issues for oly lifting which is something im trying to learn.

[@onerider808]

This has become one of my favorite channels; it’s an integrative phisiologist’s dream.

[@SquatUniversity]

Glad you’re enjoying the content I make!

[@charliebrowntree]

I love this man so much. I had my ACL repaired a year ago and I still have so much pain day to day. Never thought the problem was in my ankle and none of the 6 physical therapists I’ve seen have told me such.

[@tpsinak]

Dude Aaron this video is saving my knee! I thought for sure it was tendonopathy but after doing the assessment I found a huge discrepancy in ankle mob and a slight tibial IR difference R to L. After doing the suggested mobility and tibial IR work I'm squatting with almost no pain!

[@luxuryFean]

Im absolutely obsessed!!!! I’ve learned so much!

[@SquatUniversity]

Honored

[@1Albertm14]

Thank you I've recently started to squat for the first time and I developed knee pain. After a session of all stretches I found it be my glutes/ hips Thank you no more pain! I will continue with my stretches before every squat session. 💪

[@Angelo-uo2gj]

Great video again Dr. Aaron. You are what every therapist should strive to be.

[@SquatUniversity]

Honored

[@cachi-7878]

Yeah, it’s refreshing when someone knows their craft.

[@lousmeets4797]

This is fantastic, I feel like I should have paid for this content. Thanks for sharing your experience Aaron!

[@pierrec.dussault2138]

Best video on the subject on KZbin. Thank you

[@robertalynch5433]

This is so helpful for me. I had a bad ankle injury years ago and I now see how this has impacted my femoral pain. Amazing!!!

[@jaziel1209]

Thanks to you I can keep working out!!!, your relieved my knee pain, great advice!.

[@subhajitkarmakar22]

Congratulations on 1 million subscribers. Keep on spreading knowledge and help people get better.

[@stephegee]

Dr Aaron, you're awesome. I've self rehabbed a ton of flexibility/pain problems over the years with your videos. I just had a kid, I'm able to get back in the gym after awhile with a ton of new imbalances/creaks, and your videos are still here :)

[@Shivam-hk6sq]

The only Channel I watch before my workout...

[@fsamp9969]

You are the best! Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@SquatUniversity]

You’re welcome

[@lMobiuscidl]

This is amazing, thanks Dr.

[@saad-1]

Brilliant Dr. Aaron 🏋️‍♀️

[@WithOrWithoutU26]

Great content and explanation as usual, Aaron! Thank you so much for your channel and valuable insight! Do you have any exercises to recommend to fix dissymetry in motor recrutment pattern chain in the situation of glute activation when lifting right leg versus hamstring when lifting left leg?

[@starshine7937]

Your content is really helping alot of people. Just want to say a big thank you

[@chancefarwell5556]

Very well put together video with excellent explanation of the knee pain generator. You're giving way to much info out for free! Thank you!

[@SquatUniversity]

Thank YOU

[@RedBar3D]

Why would he be giving out too much information for free? I'm pretty sure he'll remain fully booked. With videos like these, he's able to help out a bunch more people than he would otherwise.

[@rubaalbarghouthi]

Very informative and helpful video. Many thanks for your time and effort

[@NikkiDShow]

This an excellent video, thank you for sharing!!

[@omanduhuislife3367]

I need a 121 mobility review from you! Definitely when the pandemic is done👌🙌

[@emadestaki9217]

Appreciate you Dr. Aron, your lessons really useful for me

[@andremarco2413]

You're dramatically awesome Dr. Aaron. It's been 5 months or so I'm have knee discomfort. I don't say it's actually pain, it's an uncomfortable feeling. I feel nothing while squatting, that discomfort annoys me a lot to walk. It's a feeling of instability and discomfort when walking

[@lugerixruters2682]

Love the video man👍, I was just starting to develop knee pain so I could use this.

[@SquatUniversity]

Glad to help!

[@daweitao2668]

This was great, thank you!

[@SquatUniversity]

You’re welcome

[@tezzytez_1]

Helped me out a lot thanks so much

[@immersiveparadox]

I've always felt tightness in my right ankle. Whenever I do Wall Ankle Stretches before workouts, I feel as if my right ankle is never mobile enough to reach the proper shift towards the wall like my left ankle. This ankle tightness is correlated to my knee pain on the same leg. Thanks, Doc!

[@tcaffall]

This guy saved my body.

[@nikitchoudhary9625]

Really helpful. I had exactly same problem as shown in the video. How long should we continue using the ankle mobility to squat pain free?

[@ItsCyberWolf]

Very insightful. Will be trying this myself. Would love to see a similar thing for shoulders too!

[@NaveenKumar-sz8rk]

Thank you so much from India. 👏😊

[@bruceschwartz5588]

eventhough i may not have had patella tendon issue the other video for patella tedonitis made getting out of a chair from a 9 to 1,something miraculous about your triaging skills,and even this video made pain reduction atleast 2 or 3 less,my problem was i stepped into a hole with my left leg while walking and it felt like i hyperextended,it took me 1 1/2 years to get it better on my own,then my right hip has been clicking due to favoring one side,and i hope you got therapy for that,but the excessive sitting too is making getting up a strain,and before i had no problem squat full depth now,only half squats,any suggestion would be appreciated,but listening to 90% of the other therapists here havent come close to youre wisdom,me being a doctor i appreciate your thorough diagnosi and treatment planning,thank you very much.

[@koDiacc]

Thanks for doing this video. I think I requested it once

[@move_with_simm1320]

Amazing information ❤️

[@jackmarshall757]

The squat master does it again.

[@ak_1053]

Love your videos man; plan on getting your new book! Do you think you can possibly speak about tightness in one side of the back? How to make some self evaluations and treatments? Would be greatly appreciated!

[@bljonesx]

This is great and I'm going to start testing and doing these excerises. I'm wondering if it will be hard to test though because my knee pain starts going away as I push through my first set or 2 of squats on leg day. Should I not be pushing through the pain? I'm wondering if I am making it worse after the workout is over.

[@rvfitness5576]

What an amazing video❤

[@shehab1798]

Amazing content Doc! Really awesome!

[@SquatUniversity]

Thank you!

[@shehab1798]

@@SquatUniversity my pleasure

[@buragerpostovani4991]

Very comprehensive and thorough approach! I was doing the Hip Coordination test and on my right leg (where i had patellar tendonitis) i felt that my hamstrings are firing. Apart from glute bridges is there any other exercise I should focus on? Thnx!

[@gouravelez7288]

Hey Dr. Aaron thanks so much for your awesome videos. I need some help... I've been working with some hip pinch, and have been doing the exercises you showed with the band. But I wanted to know should I change my squat program while I'm working on my hip?

[@sandreacampbell1062]

Excellent content and great work. What would cause the decreased internal rotation of the tibia though because it may be possible that after he leaves the session he may go back into the same patterns that lead to the problem in the first place

[@perry3175]

Great content.

[@rowanolsen64]

Yeah great video. Pain reduced when performing the banded exercises

[@SyedAli-cy4er]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU BROTHER

[@lukeskelton6479]

Think you might have saved me. Reduced ankle left mobility, left internal rotation, weak left flute during bridge. Felt better after these exercises

[@jyothibandaru8613]

Great explanation, thank you. For one condition you explained the exercises which help us but if a person diagnosisd with patellar tendinitis I would like to know the exercises. Thank you

[@daisydela]

Great content. Thanks. Would be great to see your take on meniscus tear rehab for athletes. I’ve got a complex tear of medial meniscus + arthritic changes. I do everything I can to strengthen + core + mobility + yoga and still have chronic pain. (Lifetime outdoor endurance guy + professional firefighter. Injured my knee from falling in burning stump holes on one of our California wildfires. A loaded rotational injury). Meniscus pain seems to be positional (like at 90 degrees).

[@jaredariel22]

Great video. But how about if the pain is under the knee you should do another video about it. Please.

[@TwelfieSpecial]

Thank you so much for posting this. Quick question, would the diagnosis be any different if the pain from the squat vs the plyometric jump is the same (in his case, the deep squat was more painful, but mine is basically the same in both cases)

[@Schroinx]

Thanks for the vids. I have been troubled by this for years. I have worked with improving my ankle mobility for years as well and while it is improving, it is slow going. You talk about some excises that can be done after the ankle mobility, to get the new range of motion to stick better. Can you share those?

[@chillimillischweiz]

Would be great to see a follow up after he has done the exercisies for a while.

[@lawrencetaufahema9349]

Thanks for the geat content! It's probable his suprapatella bursae is inflamed from the patella maltracking.

[@jbdlr13]

Thank you!👌🏽 can you please do an evaluation for other parts of the body as well? Like shoulders? 🙏🏽

[@salmankhandeshmukh]

Please make a video in Chondromalacia Patellar Pain

[@krstedimchev1799]

Hey, I think I have the same problem. Reply to me and we will privately talk.

[@jreid100]

Great video. Question, what is the name/brand of the bench you’re using to demonstrate the hip internal rotation ?

[@boubakernoui5140]

Hi squat university , thank you so much for this video , I am an parkour athlete and the last couple of months I had some pain in my knee more precisely below the patellar , I can’t do parkour any more please could you advice me to any specific video or how ever you could help me please 🙏🏻

[@anna7812]

Thank you for your work. you have many completely new approaches. what I haven't figured out yet is why my knees crunch and hurt. not only in sports. when climbing stairs, for example, it can be heard really loudly and they also hurt. I often train with jumps but this is only possible to a limited extent. can someone help

[@BazzGamez]

Thanks for the vid Aaron, very informative. One question: does the method you use for these problems have a name? All physical therapists I go to don't even look at things like ankle mobility, stability, etc. when I mention my cascade of problems in my lower back and hip, they just give core stability exercises. How could I find a therapist like you who looks at the body as a whole when assessing problems?

[@SquatUniversity]

It’s just called a movement based approach or a fancy term would be a kinesiopathologic model or KPM

[@drecrego8632]

Just discovered this channel, it’s amazing! I’m going to start doing the mobility warmups & exercises, but, I need some advice. I have tibial ~and~ femoral rotation, birth defects. My femur are rotated inward, aka knock knees, and my tibia are rotated outward, aka duck feet. Your videos have convinced me that my bilateral quad tendon pain, which started about 2 months into my cardio + weight training program, is most likely due to these rotations distorting my mobility. Is there any advice or resources you can provide, specifically for mobility with twisty bones? Fwiw, I have always walked fine, but never tried running after being ridiculed as a kid 🥺 but honestly I think I probably shouldn’t run anyway, not without better mobility. Walking at 3.5 - 4 mph on treadmill might have contributed to pain also. Anyway, thanks for the great videos, very helpful!

[@ayxantanrverdiyef]

You are legend

[@nonyofyas]

Great video! I have a question: Wouldn’t the “tibia rotation test” you performed just be looking at ankle inversion/ addiction?

[@aleduck]

Hi Doc, how should I adress imbalance detected i the Faber test? and predominance of hamstring during right single leg bridge (left leg fired up glutes) ? thanks very much, love your channel!!

[@DaKidIsSauce]

My pain is right under the patellar and it takes a while to warm the knee up but once I’m warm I don’t feel any pain. It hurts when I bend around 90 degrees as well as on the way up.

[@tonycrosby913]

I have similar symptoms. How have you fixed it?

[@eightysevenmoore]

Me three

[@Armando_Lara]

I don't have pain in my knee. I feel a funny sensation. However that sensation is not load related. I think I have a similar situation as Aaron mentions in this video, i.e., I have irritations of the tissues around the knee because the patella didn't travel correctly while squatting. In my case the error was in my technique or form, I didn't use to externally rotate the hips and therefore not keeping my knees in line with my feet. Thank you Dr. Aaron.

[@TheVratilo]

how would you structure your quads and squat training around chondromalacia Patella pain? any advice?

[@nicolelandre1884]

Whats about painfree while Squating - but in the Night feel the pain in the Tendon

[@grahampeterson3293]

With you on this, knees felt good during squats, but hurt after I cooled down.

[@koDiacc]

I also have no pain at all while exercising. Pain comes always after and is 12h at peak

[@eminuysal6301]

do you have pain or lack of movement on your knee in the mornings? or do you have pain after long time rest?

[@aidensnacklad4178]

100% this. Fine during the lift in the morning. Then lying in bed the pain is like aching 7/10 pain

[@aidancone5226]

@@aidensnacklad4178 these all sound like tendinitis

[@philtran3115]

Great work. I have severe pain on both left and right knees. Every time I would squat or lunge, I would feel as if my knees would buckle up and collapse. There is also sharp pain above and below the knee cap. Would you know anyone in Toronto (Canada) that could probably help with my condition? Thanks

[@darlingly3130]

Do you feel better today?

[@shannonbalogh6168]

I followed along to 3 Of your videos I have two different knee pains my left knee Cracks and makes noise every Time I bend it and go upstairs my right knee Has pain on the inside not on the front of the knee It hurts to cross my legs are fold my leg I haven't heard anybody talk about that yet or I haven't found a video hopefully. You can make a video on that I don't know what you call. These muscles are these spots on the bodies so sorry for that. And thank you for your videos they really do help My left needs still makes noise but actually feels a bit better 😊

[@Hermes-Quadmegistus]

Dr Aaron H - " Lucky enough I have a Friend with knee pain. Me - LOL.

[@ricepattyfatty25]

So I have a question about knee pain from doing wider stance squat and or deadlifts. It seems that sometimes when I try for wider stance I end up feeling like I tweak my knee and as well sometimes have pain below the knee. Doing Clarence kennedy type squats end up feeling a lot better hahaha. A note for the knee pain may be due to when I widen my stance I start to get a clicking or plucking sensation in my hamstring where the buttcheek meets the back of my leg. never hurts running or sprinting but will persist for awhile. I now only really do banded light squats but sometimes mess it up especially when doing lunges. I have been doing hip airplanes, seated pistols, and banded squats but keep running into this issue. Im wondering if I have a lot of things to fix or if its something in the start of the chain that snowballed to the rest especially the knees. BACKGROUND: Lifting for 6 years, played hockey and extreme sports like snowboarding and skateboarding all my life. I Dont know if that matters but maybe some insight

[@reemas5440]

earlier than last time!!!

[@JackSPk]

Great video. But maybe all the "pain-measure" squat variants should be to the same depth? Probably his pain would went up if doing a one leg squat or counter movement jump to the same depth as the first squat, but doing them much higher reduces de pain because the rectus femoris tendon (the one from quad tendonitis) is not working as much as on a deeper flexion.

[@michaelhawthorne4315]

Hey where did you get that mat to measure tibial rotation? Thanks!

[@calholohan277]

My ankles are extremely stiff. Not sore just stiff. I’ve tried so many different stretches starting with banded joint mobilisations and even the tibia rotation exercise in this video. My feet point out and I’ve tried different hip mobility work which does open up my hips but doesn’t stop my feet pointing out. After stretching my ankles always feel extremely stiff the next day like they regressed over night leaving me back at square 1. Over the period of a few months of this work they just won’t loosen. Does anyone know of anything that might help? I’m desperate

[@calholohan277]

If they were dealing with tendinopathy but still had mobility or stability issues would you still use the same techniques to fix these movement errors?

[@MrDfresh90]

Would you recommend the same protocol to someone who primarily a runner?

[@817Moon]

Front squats!!! Ftw 🙌🏾

[@JeEsRih]

I also notice the same knee hurts after jumping rope. Does that also help with the evaluation or could it still be either?

[@paulinaramirez4202]

Thanks! Great content! #squatUclub

[@SquatUniversity]

You’re welcome! Glad you liked the video!

[@BH_Restorative_fitness]

Have you ever had a client who said they have a pinching sensation if the front side of their ankle. But the banded joint mobilization did not increase mobility?

[@DarshanPatel-ct3xb]

How long should I do the mobility exercises? If it ok to do daily and how many sets are recommended. Is it ok to squat with weightlifting shoes while doing these mobility drills

[@chloeccc2535]

banded joint mobilazation 13:12 Banded tibial rotation 15:40

[@Velvet_Troubadour]

Is it possible to have both PFPS and tendinopathy at the same time? Moreover, is it unheard of to have tendinopathy in both your quads tendon as well as you PF tendon? Thanks

[@rikybologna3579]

Hi Aaron, Hoffa's Fat Pad (HFP) may cause pain too.

[@mat33o]

During Faber Test does the patient should squeeze the glute, or let the leg drop loosely?

[@shannonphilpott214]

Good day Dr. Aaron Do you offer online coaching? Kind regards

[@AscendHumanity]

I have adhesion otherwise known as muscle knot on my left vmo. I believe I was doing too much and the vmo seems to take most of the load when I squat or deadlift. I am know isolating hamstrings and quads to strengthen them to take the load away from vmo. It is frustrating as I wish to squat and deadlift without pain. Any tips?

[@selenalorigo9175]

So what would you do for tendonopothy???

[@v8consumption]

I'll save this to my workout Playlist never to see it again 😆

[@DethKaketv]

I have had torn meniscus cartilage in both my knees since I was 13 (now 36) This has caused knee and eventually hip pain. What exercises are good for this particular case?

[@SinaShahsana]

I feel my knee crackling and making noises. when I move my knee and i put hands on it I can feel my patellar go of track and feel very bumpy. I didn’t have ankle issues like him, but my pain wasn’t load related. Does that mean I have hip issues for sure?

[@LiquidityThieves]

when im sitting for an extended amount of time and when i first wake up, my knee is super stiff and requires me to warm it up with movement before I can start walking on it. My ignorant assessment has me inclined to think I have a tendon tear. What does this sound like to you? Is the stiffness indicative of a certain types of injury , generally speaking?

[@kabewar77]

What if there is a pinch when you are doing the external rotation

[@rinz-n-repeat]

It would be great to know how many set and reps of each exercise outlined in the video. I have moderate pain in the front of my left knee. When I completed one set of 10 for each exercise, the pain diminished noticeably. I want to continue the exercises but do not know how often, or how many sets/reps in a single session. I doubt more is better. Please help.

[@prateek2755]

Hello Doctor! In Cossack squat my heels are coming off the ground and the straighted leg’s hip area hurts and knee hurts What would you suggest for this? 😁

[@FitGBRU]

We need to repeat same Mobility exercise or diff on next session ?