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What is the pes anserinus?

It is the area where three tendons of the knee attach, just on the inside of the tibia, a little below the knee. These are the tendons of the gracilis, semitendinosus, and sartorius muscles.

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What are the causes of pes anserinus tendinopathy?

This can be caused by:

• Too rapid an overload on the knee muscles
• Repetitive flexion-extension movements of the knee

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Here are some classic examples of the development of this pathology:

• Resuming running after the winter without proper pacing (especially if you do a lot of downhill slopes)
• Going for a mountain hike without being used to it.

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What are the symptoms of pes anserinus tendinopathy?

The most common symptoms are:

• Pain on the inside of the knee
• The pain may be increased by:
  
  • Doing a squat
  • Going up or down stairs
  • Running
  • Walking
  • Sitting with your legs crossed

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How is pes anserinus tendinopathy diagnosed?

Diagnosis is possible based on a review of your symptoms and a clinical examination. X-rays cannot detect tendinopathy.

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When should I see a physiotherapist for pes anserinus tendinopathy?

You should consult a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above or if your doctor has already ruled out any other cause that may be responsible for your pain.

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You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.

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What physiotherapy treatments are available for pes anserinus tendinopathy?

Your physiotherapist will perform an assessment to determine the cause of your tendinopathy and will evaluate the following elements:

• Your joint mobility
• The gliding of your nerves
• The quality of your movements
• Your strength and stability

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Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:

• Mobilize your knee to reduce pain and improve your movement
• Give you specific exercises to retrain the control of your knee movements.
• Give you exercises to regain mobility, reduce pain and regain your muscle strength.
• Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities and hobbies to optimize healing
• Give you advice for your posture and movements.

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What can I do at home for pes anserinus tendinopathy?

Temporarily stop doing movements that cause too much pain, and then gradually start doing them again.

• Here are some tips that may help: Practice activities that reduce stress on the area, such as swimming or pain-free cycling.
• Do strengthening exercises for your glutes.

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If you don't see any improvement after 10 days, you should consult a physiotherapist.

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If you are a runner, please refer to the blog article on running (link to come) for concrete tips for running.

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To learn more...

You can listen to the podcast "Parle-moi de santé" created by one of our physiotherapists, Alexis Gougeon.

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Episode #1 discusses the prevention and treatment of running injuries.

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Find the episode on YouTube:

Click below to listen to episodes on podcast platforms:

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Sources

• Mohseni, M., & Graham, C. (2019). Pes Anserine Bursitis.
• Uson J, Aguado P, Bernad M, Mayordomo L, Naredo E, Balsa A, Martin-Mola E. Pes anserinus tendino-bursitis: what are we talking about?. Scandinavian journal of rheumatology. 2000 Jan 1;29(3):184-6.

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