How is patellar tendinitis treated?

Do you suffer from patellar tendinitis, also commonly known as jumper’s knee? 

If you’ve been having pain in the front of your knee—especially after being exposed to repeated impact on the knee joint, such as from jumping or running—then patellar tendinitis may be the problem. 

In this article, we’ll delve into what patellar tendinitis is and its causes, the course of treatment that you may expect, and how to best prevent it. 

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical help. If you are experiencing symptoms, see a qualified health professional. 

What exactly is patellar tendinitis? How is it different from patellar tendinopathy? 

The patellar tendon is a thick ligament, or band of connective tissue, connecting your patella (kneecap) to your tibia (shinbone).

Tendinitis—formed by the word tendon and the suffix -itis meaning inflammation or infection—is an inflammation of the tendon. 

Tendinopathy is formed with the suffix –opathy, meaning ‘disease’ or ‘disorder. Tendinopathy, therefore, is a broader term that encompasses various issues and diseases affecting a tendon. Tendinitis is a type of tendinopathy. 

The location of the pain in patellar tendinitis. Source: Wikimedia.

What causes patellar tendinitis? 

Patellar tendinitis is most commonly caused by repeated impact to the knee joint. 

The impact from movements such as running or jumping causes tiny tears in the tendons. A healthy body will attempt to repair these microtears.

However, if the repeated impact occurs too frequently or for too long, the body may not be able to repair at a sufficient rate. This inadequate recovery can lead to pain, inflammation, and dysfunction of the tendon. 

Because of the frequency, duration, and intensity of sports training, athletes are most prone to patellar tendinitis. It is very common in sports that involve a lot of jumping, running, and landing, such as:

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Running and athletics
• Skating
• Skiing 
• Football
• Gymnastics

Patellar tendinitis can also arise from non-sport activities, such as: 

• Dancing
• Hiking
• Gardening and home renovation (from repetitive kneeling) 

The repeated impact from activities like running can make one prone to patellar tendinitis.

What are the symptoms of patellar tendinitis? How is patellar tendinitis diagnosed? 

Patellar tendinitis typically presents as pain in the front of the knee, below the kneecap. The pain can be aggravated by movements such as jumping, running, squatting, and walking up or down stairs.

A medical practitioner such as a physiotherapist or physician may diagnose patellar tendinitis. They will perform a thorough examination of the affected leg/s to determine the location of the pain and the movements that reproduce it. They will also take into account the patient’s history, such as any sports or recent activities. 

In some cases, ultrasound may be used to aid in the diagnosis. 

How is patellar tendinitis treated? 

Patellar tendinitis is usually treated with conservative measures. The course of treatment will start with pain relief, and then rehabilitation to restore the function of the joint. 

Rest and activity modification

The first step in treating patellar tendinitis is to temporarily avoid the movements that cause or aggravate pain. For athletes, this may mean pausing training temporarily until the pain subsides. 

Pain management

If the knee pain is making day-to-day mobility difficult, some steps can be taken to relieve it. This can include: 

• Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can reduce the inflammation and pain. However, care must be taken not to take these drugs long term, unless specifically advised by your doctor. 
• Heat and cold therapy. A physiotherapist can administer heat and cold therapy to reduce symptoms, as well as provide guidance on how to do it at home. 
• Manual therapy. A physiotherapist may also use manual methods such as massage or soft tissue mobilisation to help tension and stiffness in the muscles connected to the knee joint. 

With rest and conservative pain relief methods, you can expect to feel better within a few weeks. 

Exercise therapy

Once the pain is tolerable enough to allow it, it’s important to start rehabbing the knee joint. This is an important step to make sure that not only are you pain-free, but also that the knee joint regains its proper function, strength, and range of motion. 

A physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can recommend and teach you exercises to rehabilitate your knee joint. These may include: 

• Stretches and mobility work on surrounding muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves) to reduce tension on the patellar tendon.
• Strengthening exercises. Muscle weaknesses in various points of the lower body, such as the feet, glutes, and calves, can contribute to poor movement patterns that make one more prone to patellar tendinitis. 

Weak glutes can contribute to the risk of patellar tendonitis; your physiotherapist may recommend exercises to strengthen them.

Returning to your sport or activity after patellar tendinitis 

While knee pain can be worrisome, the good news is patellar tendinitis generally won’t mean having to quit your sport or hobby for good as long as you tend to your symptoms instead of waiting until they get worse.

However, the key to successfully staying injury-free is the careful and gradual restoration of training intensity and frequency. 

Your physiotherapist can help craft a safe training program that will ease you back to your sport or activity, as well as address any pain or discomfort that may arise.

How do I prevent patellar tendinitis? 

Here are a few tips that may help keep patellar tendinitis at bay, without having to give up any of the activities you love:

1. Avoid overuse. Overuse is often the main culprit for patellar tendinitis. Listen to your body (and to your physiotherapist) to make sure you’re not overtraining, and that you are getting adequate rest time between active days. 
2. Prioritise good sleep, nutrition, and hydration. Musculoskeletal recovery suffers when these three are not in place. Get enough sleep and keep your body well nourished.
3. Strengthen the quadriceps, calves, and glutes. Stronger muscles help absorb impact and reduce stress on the patellar tendon.
4. Use good footwear. Depending on your sport or activity, supportive shoes can help absorb shock and reduce knee strain.

Want relief from patellar tendinitis? 

Our team of qualified physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are here to get you on your path to recovery. 

They’ll not only help relieve your pain, but also make sure you get the muscle strength, range of motion, and proper movement patterns needed to keep you moving injury-free in the long run. 

Call 02 8804 4000 or contact us through this form to get started!