This is for Dr Mark but help from anyone with experience is appreciated,

I have this problem with my right knee. This summer I'm interning with NASA and since I'm on the other side of the country I didn't bring my bike. So, I thought I would just spend time in the gym hitting the weights and riding the statinoary bikes and whatnot for cardio. My problem started about 1-2 weeks into it. I have pain below my kneecap and it seems like it is in my pattela tendon. I was thinking possible tendonitis or something of that nature. It's especially prevelant after playing basketball but the pain has only come up in the past couple of weeks. Also, when I go to stand up from sitting down, it feels like I have a tight tendon or ligament in my knee so I can't straighten my leg all the way very quickly without pain but once it's straight, I'm fine. I haven't had any issues with right knee in the pass but I have had reconstructive surgery on my left knee about 4 years ago. The strange thing is my left knee doesn't have the same pain in it although I know it couldn't be in better shape than my right seeing as how when I had the MRI done it showed medial and lateral meniscus tearing as well as the full acl tear.

My question is, What do you think could be going on inside of there?
Are there any certian exercises or stretches I should be doing?

I am currently taking a glucosamine and chondroitin supplement that seems as though it had helped in the past when I first had the knee surgery.
Thanks for your time.
rock on.
Kenny

Sorry, I didn't really clarify on the location. I'm from Texas but right now I'm at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia. I did send an email to Norma to see what can be done when I get back but I also suffer from another problem, namely, being the prototypical broke college student and a distinct lack of insurance. I am in the process of checking out what options there are for me since this is definitely something I need to get taken care of. Since I won't be back in Texas until mid August, do you have any general recommendations or guidelines I should pay attention to?

Thanks for your time.

well, i don't know a dang thing about anything, but i do know that changing your exercise regimen suddenly can contribute to tendinitis. i had some issues when i came back from a 4 months assignment in finland (lots of xc skiing, great shape) and immediately started back racing bicycles in germany. the range of motion was not what i was used to, and i was fit enough to really overdo it.

you may be subconsciously compensating for your previous injury by overusing the other leg. if i were you i would do the following:

1. take advil or similar anti-inflammatory before exercise for a week or so.
2. ice the sore spots after exercise.
3. back off slightly. try to figure out which exercises make it worse and don't do those.

it's pretty easy for motivated athletes to let a minor tendon issue turn into a chronic problem, but rest is about the only thing that really helps.

otoh, if it's something else besides a typical overuse injury, never mind.