What are the main causes of patellar tendonitis. How is jumper’s knee diagnosed and treated. What are the key symptoms of patellar tendonitis to watch out for. How can athletes prevent and manage jumper’s knee effectively.

Understanding Patellar Tendonitis: The Basics of Jumper’s Knee

Patellar tendonitis, commonly known as jumper’s knee, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the patellar tendon. This crucial tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia), playing a vital role in knee movement and stability. When inflamed, it can cause significant discomfort and impair athletic performance.

Is patellar tendonitis a serious condition? While not typically severe, if left untreated, jumper’s knee can lead to tendon tears and chronic pain, potentially sidelining athletes for extended periods. Early recognition and proper management are key to preventing long-term complications.

Causes and Risk Factors of Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis primarily results from overuse of the knee joint, particularly during activities involving frequent jumping on hard surfaces. The repetitive stress placed on the tendon can cause micro-tears and inflammation over time.

Common Risk Factors:

• Frequent participation in sports with jumping elements (e.g., basketball, volleyball)
• Sudden increases in training intensity or duration
• Poor conditioning or flexibility
• Muscular imbalances in the legs
• Hard playing surfaces
• Improper footwear

Can certain biomechanical factors contribute to patellar tendonitis? Indeed, individuals with high arches, flat feet, or muscular imbalances may be more susceptible to developing jumper’s knee due to altered stress distribution across the knee joint.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Jumper’s Knee

Identifying the symptoms of patellar tendonitis early can help prevent the condition from worsening. While experiences may vary, there are several common signs to watch for:

• Pain and tenderness around the patellar tendon, especially just below the kneecap
• Swelling in the knee area
• Discomfort when jumping, running, or walking
• Pain during knee flexion or extension
• Stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity

Does the pain associated with jumper’s knee vary in intensity? Typically, the pain begins gradually and may initially only occur during or after intense physical activity. As the condition progresses, pain can become more persistent and severe, potentially interfering with daily activities.

Diagnostic Approaches for Patellar Tendonitis

Accurate diagnosis of patellar tendonitis is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers employ various methods to confirm the condition and rule out other potential knee issues.

Common Diagnostic Procedures:

1. Physical examination: Assessing knee flexibility, strength, and pain points
2. Medical history review: Understanding the patient’s activity levels and symptom progression
3. Imaging tests: X-rays to check for bone abnormalities, MRI or ultrasound to visualize soft tissue damage
4. Palpation tests: Applying pressure to the tendon to locate pain and inflammation

Are there specific tests to diagnose patellar tendonitis? Yes, clinicians often use the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) scale, which measures pain, function, and ability to play sports, providing a quantitative assessment of jumper’s knee severity.

Comprehensive Treatment Strategies for Jumper’s Knee

Treatment for patellar tendonitis aims to reduce pain, promote healing, and restore knee function. The approach often combines various modalities tailored to the individual’s needs and the severity of the condition.

Conservative Treatment Options:

• Rest and activity modification
• Ice therapy to reduce inflammation
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy exercises
• Knee braces or taping techniques
• Eccentric strengthening programs

Can patellar tendonitis be treated without surgery? In most cases, yes. Conservative treatments are often successful, especially when initiated early. However, severe or chronic cases may require more invasive interventions.

Advanced Treatment Modalities:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
• Corticosteroid injections (used cautiously due to potential tendon weakening)
• Surgical options (e.g., arthroscopic debridement, open repair) for refractory cases

Rehabilitation and Recovery Process

Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovering from patellar tendonitis and preventing recurrence. A well-structured rehab program focuses on gradually restoring strength, flexibility, and function to the affected knee.

Key Components of Rehabilitation:

1. Progressive loading exercises
2. Eccentric training of the quadriceps
3. Flexibility exercises for the entire lower limb
4. Core strengthening to improve overall stability
5. Proprioception and balance training
6. Sport-specific exercises for athletes

How long does it typically take to recover from jumper’s knee? Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the condition and adherence to treatment. Mild cases may improve within a few weeks, while more severe instances can take several months to fully resolve.

Preventing Patellar Tendonitis: Strategies for Athletes and Active Individuals

Prevention is always preferable to treatment when it comes to sports-related injuries like patellar tendonitis. Implementing proper training techniques and maintaining overall knee health can significantly reduce the risk of developing jumper’s knee.

Effective Prevention Strategies:

• Gradual progression in training intensity and volume
• Regular stretching and warm-up routines
• Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles
• Proper technique in jumping and landing
• Use of appropriate footwear and orthotics if necessary
• Adequate rest and recovery between training sessions
• Cross-training to reduce repetitive stress on the knees

Are there specific exercises that can help prevent jumper’s knee? Yes, exercises that focus on eccentric quadriceps strengthening, such as decline squats and step-downs, have shown particular effectiveness in preventing and managing patellar tendonitis.

Long-Term Management and Prognosis of Patellar Tendonitis

While acute patellar tendonitis can often be successfully treated, some individuals may experience chronic symptoms or recurrent episodes. Long-term management strategies are essential for maintaining knee health and preventing future flare-ups.

Key Aspects of Long-Term Management:

1. Regular monitoring and self-assessment of knee health
2. Ongoing strength and flexibility maintenance
3. Prompt attention to any recurring symptoms
4. Periodic check-ins with healthcare providers or sports medicine specialists
5. Lifestyle modifications to reduce knee stress when necessary

What is the long-term outlook for individuals with patellar tendonitis? With proper management and adherence to preventive measures, most people can return to their previous level of activity. However, some may need to make permanent adjustments to their training or competition routines to maintain knee health.

Patellar tendonitis, or jumper’s knee, is a common but manageable condition affecting many athletes and active individuals. By understanding its causes, recognizing symptoms early, and implementing appropriate treatment and prevention strategies, those affected can often return to their activities with minimal long-term impact. Regular communication with healthcare providers and a commitment to proper training techniques are crucial for managing this condition effectively and maintaining overall knee health.

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is jumper’s knee?

Jumper’s knee, also known as patellar tendonitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of your patellar tendon. This connects your kneecap (patella) to your shin bone (tibia). Jumper’s knee weakens your tendon, and, if untreated, can lead to tears in your tendon.

What causes jumper’s knee?

Jumper’s knee is caused by overuse of your knee joint, such as frequent jumping on hard surfaces.

It’s usually a sports-related injury, linked to leg muscle contraction and the force of hitting the ground. This strains your tendon. With repeated stress, your tendon may become inflamed.

What are the symptoms of jumper’s knee?

Following are the most common symptoms of jumper’s knee. However, you may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Pain and tenderness around your patellar tendon
• Swelling
• Pain with jumping, running, or walking
• Pain when bending or straightening your leg
• Tenderness behind the lower part of your kneecap

The symptoms of jumper’s knee may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is jumper’s knee diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, your healthcare provider may use an X-ray to help diagnose jumper’s knee.

How is jumper’s knee treated?

The best treatment for jumper’s knee is to stop any activity that’s causing the problem until the injury is healed. Other treatment may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen)
• Rest
• Elevating your knee
• Ice packs to your knee (to help reduce swelling)
• Stretching and strengthening exercises

Key points

• Jumper’s knee is inflammation of your patellar tendon, the tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shin bone (tibia).
• Jumper’s knee is a sports-related injury caused by overuse of your knee joint.
• Common signs of jumper’s knee include:
  • Pain and tenderness around your patellar tendon
  • Swelling
  • Pain with jumping, running, or walking
  • Pain when bending or straightening the leg
  • Tenderness behind the lower part of the kneecap
• Jumper’s knee is diagnosed by taking a medical history and doing a physical exam. Sometimes an X-ray may be needed.
• The best treatment for jumper’s knee is to stop any activity that’s causing the problem until the injury is healed. Other treatment may include:
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Rest
  • Elevating the knee
  • Ice packs to the knee (to help reduce swelling)
  • Stretching and strengthening exercises

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Related

• 
  
  Knee injuries

  Making Knees New Again

  
  

• 
  
  Knee injuries

  Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

  
  

• 
  
  Knee injuries

  Kneecap Fractures

  
  

Related Topics

Patellar tendinitis – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Patellar tendinitis is an injury to the tendon connecting your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone. The patellar tendon works with the muscles at the front of your thigh to extend your knee so that you can kick, run and jump.

Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is most common in athletes whose sports involve frequent jumping — such as basketball and volleyball. However, even people who don’t participate in jumping sports can get patellar tendinitis.

For most people, treatment of patellar tendinitis begins with physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the knee.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Pain is the first symptom of patellar tendinitis, usually between your kneecap and where the tendon attaches to your shinbone (tibia).

Initially, you may only feel pain in your knee as you begin physical activity or just after an intense workout. Over time, the pain worsens and starts to interfere with playing your sport. Eventually, the pain interferes with daily movements such as climbing stairs or rising from a chair.

Patellar tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis causes pain in the patellar tendon, which runs from the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia).

When to see a doctor

For knee pain, try self-care measures first, such as icing the area and temporarily reducing or avoiding activities that trigger your symptoms.

Call your doctor if your pain:

• Continues or worsens
• Interferes with your ability to perform routine daily activities
• Is associated with swelling or redness about the joint

Causes

Patellar tendinitis is a common overuse injury, caused by repeated stress on your patellar tendon. The stress results in tiny tears in the tendon, which your body attempts to repair.

But as the tears in the tendon multiply, they cause pain from inflammation and weakening of the tendon. When this tendon damage persists for more than a few weeks, it’s called tendinopathy.

Risk factors

A combination of factors may contribute to the development of patellar tendinitis, including:

• Physical activity. Running and jumping are most commonly associated with patellar tendinitis. Sudden increases in how hard or how often you engage in the activity also add stress to the tendon, as can changing your running shoes.
• Tight leg muscles. Tight thigh muscles (quadriceps) and hamstrings, which run up the back of your thighs, can increase strain on your patellar tendon.
• Muscular imbalance. If some muscles in your legs are much stronger than others, the stronger muscles could pull harder on your patellar tendon. This uneven pull could cause tendinitis.
• Chronic illness. Some illnesses disrupt blood flow to the knee, which weakens the tendon. Examples include kidney failure, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

Complications

If you try to work through your pain, ignoring your body’s warning signs, you could cause increasingly larger tears in the patellar tendon. Knee pain and reduced function can persist if you don’t tend to the problem, and you may progress to the more serious patellar tendinopathy.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of developing patellar tendinitis, take these steps:

• Don’t play through pain. As soon as you notice exercise-related knee pain, ice the area and rest. Until your knee is pain-free, avoid activities that put stress on your patellar tendon.
• Strengthen your muscles. Strong thigh muscles are better able to handle the stresses that can cause patellar tendinitis. Eccentric exercises, which involve lowering your leg very slowly after extending your knee, are particularly helpful.
• Improve your technique. To be sure you’re using your body correctly, consider taking lessons or getting professional instructions when starting a new sport or using exercise equipment.

Treatment. Knee-joint. Tendinitis company blog

Description of the disease, symptoms and causes, methods of treatment.

This is an inflammation of the tendon. In this case, the tendon that connects the patella and the main bone of the lower leg (tibia) becomes inflamed. This tendon plays a key role in the movements of the lower leg to straighten. The movements of the lower leg, made when hitting the ball, riding a bicycle and jumping high, are carried out by the muscles of the thigh with the help of this tendon.

Causes of inflammation of the tendon

There are many reasons leading to inflammation of the ligament, among which injuries and their constant impact are of paramount importance. That is why patellar ligament tendinitis occurs in athletes and in people engaged in intense physical activity with the work of the muscle group of the knee joint. A number of scientists consider the development of this pathological process as a complication of degenerative-dystrophic changes, which are more typical in old age.

Symptoms of tendinitis

Like many other inflammatory processes in our body, the leading place in clinical symptoms is occupied by pain, taking into account varying intensity and duration. In the first stages, patients are worried about barely noticeable pain, which often appears in the evening after excessive exercise. Gradually, the pain intensifies, arises in the midst of “complete well-being”, at rest. The temperature with tendonitis practically does not rise, most often this occurs when the inflammatory process is generalized and neighboring anatomical structures are involved in it. It should be noted that a rupture of the patellar ligament is a frequent and, unfortunately, very dangerous complication for the patient.

Make an appointment with a traumatologist-orthopedist Ondar Temir Evgenievich and get an effective treatment program :

Treatment of tendinitis: description

Tendinitis of the patellar ligament does not immediately and unequivocally lead to rupture of the ligament, but the gradual inevitable progression of inflammation implies a weakening of those structures that were involved in inflammation.

Conservative treatment

Treatment for patellar ligament tendinitis depends on the stage of the disease. The first and second stages, as a rule, respond well to conservative, i.e., non-surgical treatment. It includes:

• change of training regimen;
• ice compresses;
• a short course of anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, orthophene, etc.) that relieve symptoms, but there is no evidence that these drugs affect the development of tendonitis.

Anti-inflammatory drugs should be used with caution in elderly patients and should not be used in concomitant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Local injections of glucocorticoids (kenalog, diprospan, hydrocortisone) for patellar ligament tendinitis are not recommended due to possible atrophy of the ligament and its subsequent rupture.

• An important role in the treatment of tendinitis of the first and second stages is played by physical exercises aimed at strengthening and stretching the quadriceps femoris, which allows you to gradually return to sports activities, but this can take from several weeks to several months;
• in addition to exercises, taping can be very effective – gluing special tapes on the knee that unload the patella ligament. Taping is a special section of sports traumatology.

The essence of taping comes down to the fact that a special sports tape is glued – teip, which unloads the patellar ligament. If the tape is not available, then you can use a wide adhesive plaster, for example, from Hartmann. Unloading the patellar ligament with tape can be done by sticking the tape across the ligament, on the sides of it, crosswise with fixing the long ends of the tape on top or bottom. The tape can also be applied along the ligament with the tape fixed below the normal attachment site of the ligament to the tibial tuberosity. Of course, combinations of taping methods are also possible.

Surgical treatment

With persistent patellar tendinitis, pain persisting despite adequate treatment, surgery may be required.

Essence of operation:

• Perform arthroscopic (through 1-2 cm incisions) or open (through a traditional incision) removal of chronically altered tissues, usually at the apex of the patella. The choice of arthroscopic or traditional open surgery depends on which parts of the ligament are damaged.

If there is a bone outgrowth on the patella, leading to impingement (strangulation of the ligament), then it can be removed arthroscopically.
If cysts and other volumetric changes have formed in the ligament itself, then they can be corrected only with the help of an open operation.

Of course, the treatment of tendinitis of the patellar ligament in this case is prognostically more favorable, which promises an early discharge for the patient and a return to the previous working days.

• In addition to the removal of altered parts of the ligament, in most cases during surgery, curettage (scraping) of the lower part of the patella is performed to cause tissue repair (recovery process) through inflammation.
• Sometimes additional partial excision of the ligament, wide excision with re-fixation of the remnants of the ligament, and multiple longitudinal tenotomies (notches on the ligament) are performed. However, any of these operations is fraught with rupture of the ligament in the future.
• At stage 4, timely surgical reconstruction of the ligament allows you to restore the strength of the quadriceps muscle and range of motion and return to the previous level of activity, and a delay of several weeks significantly reduces the strength of the quadriceps femoris

Many surgeons during operations for chronic tendinitis prefer to always resect, i.e. shorten the lower pole of the patella, assuming that there is always impingement (strangulation) of the patellar ligament with tendinitis. In general, you should not be afraid of open operations on the knee joint, although such treatment of tendinitis of the patellar ligament is delayed and gives more noticeable discomfort to the patient. Again, if the situation is inevitable, the clinical therapy is ineffective, it is necessary to prevent complications, namely the rupture of the very ligament, which will inevitably require surgical intervention. Based on this, it is much more rational to prevent the consequences than to treat them at the height of the disease.

You can sign up for a consultation by phone +7 (495) 477-55-40 or through the online feedback form .

Sports and Rehabilitation Center “New Step”:

Our main goal is to bring back the joy of an active life to you!

Tendinitis of the knee | Blog ММЦ Clinic №1 Lublino, Moscow

Call
call me back

Home

Blog

Tendonitis of the knee: costly treatment can be avoided The development of inflammation can occur anywhere in the body, and if left untreated, it can become chronic, making the disease serious.

Patellar tendonitis is characterized by inflammation of the tendons in the knee area. The knee joint consists of three parts:

• hips;
• tibia;
• patella.

A powerful tendon is attached from the thigh muscles to the patella. It is constantly exposed to physical stress during sports, so it is at constant risk of microtrauma.

Tendinitis of the knee most often affects the patellar ligament. This inflammation is considered to be an occupational disease of athletes. Moreover, according to research in the field of sports medicine, overweight men are more likely to have a knee joint injury than others.

Causes of knee tendinitis

As a rule, knee tendinitis begins to develop in professional athletes and people over forty years of age. Excessive physical activity and age increase the likelihood of inflammation in the knee joint.

Jumping on a hard surface is considered a trigger for knee tendinitis. Other factors that predispose to inflammation are:

• uncontrolled training patterns;
• footwear that causes discomfort when worn;
• joint injuries;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• pathology of the foot;
• violation of posture;
• spinal injuries.

In the process of rheumatic, infectious or endocrine diseases, secondary tendinitis may develop.

Symptoms of knee tendinitis

The main symptoms of knee tendinitis are:

• pain on movement of the affected limb;
• painful sensations on palpation;
• fever in the area of ​​inflammation, redness is possible;
• deterioration of joint mobility;
• prolonged pain, worse at night.

In addition to common symptoms, there are also stages of pain development:

1. The first stage is characterized by pain in the tendon area only at the peak of physical activity. In any other circumstances, pain is absent.
2. In the second stage, dull pain occurs already with standard physical exertion.
3. In the third stage, the pain syndrome does not subside even after a long rest.
4. The fourth stage is the last in the development of the disease. The tendon of the knee joint loses its strength, and the tissues undergo minor tears. With physical exertion, a rupture is possible.

Secondary tendonitis causes symptoms to appear more quickly and the pain to develop more intensely. The spread of inflammation takes place in just a couple of days, and the swelling is more pronounced. Hyperemia occurs in the affected area, and in rare cases, hyperthermia of the skin.

At the first sign of tendonitis, it is highly recommended to seek professional help. Self-diagnosis can lead to serious consequences, since the symptoms of tendonitis are similar to tendinosis. However, their treatment is different.

Diagnosis of tendonitis

Diagnosis begins with examination of the patient and analysis of the affected limb. This is usually done by an orthopedic traumatologist. Based on the analysis of the symptoms and causes of tendinitis, the doctor directs the patient for additional studies.

Examination includes the following procedures:

• X-ray of the knee joint – to rule out pathologies that have similar symptoms. Rarely, imaging may show soft tissue enlargement.
• Ultrasound, MRI and CT – to visualize the knee joint and tissues around it. The deformations of the structure, the places of tendon tears and the focus of inflammation are determined.
• laboratory researches – the general analysis of urine of a blood. Signs of tendinitis appear in the blood when there is an infection, and if there is a metabolic disorder, the analysis may show an increased level of creatinine and uric acid.

Signs of tendinitis are very easy to confuse with other joint diseases, so self-diagnosis of inflammation is not recommended.

Treatment process for tendinitis

When tendonitis of the knee is detected, conservative treatment is the first choice. The essence of the method lies in outpatient treatment using:

• rest mode – the patient excludes any physical activity, and the limb is immobilized with plaster or other fixators;
• medicines – the doctor prescribes various analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs;
• physiotherapy – after neutralization of the main inflammation, the patient is prescribed electrophoresis, massage, exercise therapy, iontophoresis, magnetotherapy, etc.

X-ray therapy is used in case of intense pain and pronounced swelling in the knee joint. Doctors can also resort to blockade with corticosteroid drugs. A fairly effective treatment for tendinitis is shock wave therapy in combination with V-actor technology.

At the end of treatment, patients should gradually increase the load on the knee. It is recommended to use special orthoses to fix the joint and minimize the risk of recurrence.

Surgery for tendon ruptures or failure of outpatient treatment. The operation procedure includes incision of the skin in the area of ​​the lesion, opening of the ligamentous canal and removal of the affected tissues.

After the operation, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, pain medication, physiotherapy and massage. Folk remedies can enhance the effect of traditional treatment of tendinitis. But, before resorting to non-traditional treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Self-medication can harm health and lead to the undesirable development of inflammation.

Possible complications

If inflammation is ignored for a long time, there is a risk of tendinosis of the patellar ligament.

The consequences of the course of tendinitis disease negatively affect the ability of the ligaments to withstand stress. If timely treatment is not started, the joints will noticeably weaken, and the likelihood of fiber rupture will increase.

Inflammation Prevention

To prevent knee tendinitis, experts recommend:

• distribute the load on the knee during intense training;
• avoid excessive exercise;
• avoid sudden movements during heavy physical exertion;
• warm up muscles before training;
• monitor body weight;
• wear comfortable shoes that do not cause discomfort when walking;
• timely respond to infectious diseases;
• counteract flat feet;
• correct posture and curvature of the spine.

There is no single way to prevent tendinitis.