Rafa's injury should not end his career
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tendinitis means inflammation of a tendon. In tennis players whose knees are affected, the commonest type is patellar tendonitis, caused by repetitive overuse.
The condition causes pain at the front of the knee just below the patella (kneecap) and is worst when the knee is flexed, as when bending for a low shot.
Professor Angus Wallace, former chair of the National Institute of Sports Medicine said it could be difficult to predict how long Rafael Nadal might take to recover.
"It will be aggravated by continuing to play. If it is aggravated badly it will set him back for other tournaments. The injury is usually related to over-use combined with small tears of the tendon where it is attached to the bone."
Professor Wallace said the injury would need treatment. Physiotherapy, involving transverse rubbing across the tendon, could help. Ultrasound was also sometimes used. In severe cases surgery can be required but is not often used.
The injury was not career-ending and with rest would probably resolve within a fortnight, Professor Wallace said.
In an older, less fit person it could take months to heal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments