Patellar Tendinopathy - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Patellar tendinopathy, also known as patellar tendonitis or jumper's knee is an injury impacting the patellar tendon that can cause serious discomfort for athletes, as well as those just going about their daily routine.
The patellar tendon is responsible for helping the muscles extend to the knee. Whilst some may experience only a short amount of time on the sidelines (a few days, to a few weeks), patellar tendinopathy has the potential to cause long term discomfort and immobility when left untreated.
What is Patellar Tendinopathy?
Patellar tendinopathy or tendinitis is an injury to the tendon that connects the knee cap (known as the patella) to the shinbone. The patellar tendon works with your quadricep muscle to extend and straighten the leg.
Patellar tendinopathy is sometimes referred to as jumper's knee as it is most common in athletes whose sports involve frequent jumping and bursts of intensity such as basketball, volleyball, and tennis. Unlike Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome or runners’ knee which affects the cartilage under the kneecap, jumpers’ knee is an acute injury felt in the patellar tendon.
What are the Symptoms of Patellar Tendinopathy?
Just like any injury, the symptoms of patellar tendinopathy can manifest differently in different people. Some of the most common symptoms that are reported to physiotherapists and health professionals when referring to patellar tendinopathy issues include:
- Acute pain around the patellar tendon
- Noticeable swelling around the knee
- Decreased range of motion and difficulty straightening the knee
- Pain when jumping, running, or during explosive exercise
- Acute pain during exercise and immediately after
- Pain and stiffness in the morning or after rest
Patellar tendinopathy is an overuse injury that will typically become worse over time. As a result, many people continue to exercise and continue their normal routines without realising that they are impacted by jumpers’ knees. Over time, tendinopathy becomes more acute and begins to interfere with normal daily movements such as climbing a ladder, climbing stairs at home, and even simply getting out of bed.
Through an assessment of your patellar region, a qualified physiotherapist or healthcare professional will be able to gain a better understanding of your injury and provide a more accurate diagnosis.
What Causes Patellar Tendinopathy?
Patellar tendinopathy or tendinitis is a common overuse injury that is caused by repetitive, stressful motions such as jumping, landing, and repeated stress to the knees. Patellar tendinopathy is typically associated with sport-related injuries; however, it can also occur in individuals involved in frequent, repetitive knee stress like running, jumping, squatting, and even walking.
Patellar Tendinopathy Prevention Tips
Warmup before intense physical activity
A proper warmup routine isn’t only essential for peak performance, it’s also necessary to allow our muscles, ligaments, and tendons to prepare for activity. Warming up before exercise gives your body time to ‘wake up’ and prepare for more physical activity.
Strengthening exercises
Knee strengthening exercises are a proven way to reduce the risk of injury and progressively overload your muscles to handle higher loads and more vigorous impact. Straight leg lifts, squats, step ups, and knee extension exercise can all help to strengthen the patellar tendon and reduce the chance of injury.
Rest & recover
Rest days give the body a chance to recover, absorb stress, and prevent future injuries. Progressively increasing your workout load and giving your body plenty of time to rest are proven to increase the training effect and reduce the chance of injuries – particularly overuse injuries like patellar tendinitis.
Seek treatment before it becomes a bigger issue
If you feel something, it’s time to do something. Don’t wait until you are immobilised or until patellar pain begins to impact your daily life. The sooner you seek advice and receive an accurate assessment of your condition, the sooner you can work towards recovery. When left untreated, patellar tendinopathy can become a long-term, chronic problem that can leave you on the sidelines for months on end.
Limit impact on hard surfaces where possible
Running, jumping, and explosive exercise are just one part of the equation. Where you exercise (hard or soft surfaces) also play a key role in mitigating injury risk and preserving your tendon muscles. Where possible, opt for softer surfaces to limit impact forces and give your knees a rest.
Patellar Tendinopathy Treatment Options
The severity of your injury will ultimately determine the treatment options available.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy such as stretching, massage, strapping, and strengthening exercises may all be prescribed to help with your recovery. Most Physiotherapists will recommend a course of exercises that are designed to progressively load and strengthen the tendon prior to returning to normal activity.
Surgical Options
Surgical treatment of patellar tendinopathy is a last resort in cases where more conservative treatment methods have not been effective. There are a range of different surficial options including corticosteroid injections and tendon repair surgery. Surgical treatment is rare, but may be required in special circumstances where previous, non-surgical treatment has not been successful.