Question - knee tendonitis

by Heather Stanton
(Elmira, NY)

I have knee pain (right knee) that appears to most likely be tendonitis. I have had an MRI and an X-ray that showed nothing. I believe I got it from overuse...doing stepping (aerobics and strength training using a step) nearly every day for about 6 months.

I am be able to do a partial squat without pain and can go up stairs, but not down. My biggest problem is that I am having difficulty walking...I am still limping when walking after five weeks. I have taken a lot of Aleve but finally stopped as it can't be good for my body. I have been applying heat several times a day, but maybe I should try icing it more. I have been doing straight leg raises, hamstring curls, hamstring stretches, quad stretches without pain.

My question is: is it normal for walking to be painful with knee tendonitis? If I walk any distance it really flares up. Should I use crutches to try to rest the knee? Or a brace?