Patellar tendinopathy, often referred to as jumper’s knee, stems from inflammation or irritation of the patellar tendon because of overuse. This disorder is particularly common in athletes, especially those who engage in sports that require repeated jumping, like basketball and volleyball. Jumper’s knee can cause mild discomfort or severe pain that progressively worsens. If untreated, patellar tendinopathy can significantly affect athletic performance as well as everyday activities and potentially lead to chronic debilitating pain.
Symptoms
The symptoms of patellar tendinopathy can include:
Pain below the patellar: The main symptom of this condition is pain, or a dull ache experienced at the lower region of the patellar, where the tendon and the shinbone attach.
Tenderness and swelling: The part surrounding the kneecap tendon may feel tender when touched, and swelling could sometimes be visible.
Knee stiffness: Stiffness, particularly after periods of rest or inactivity, can make it hard to stretch the knee fully.
Sharp pain when moving: Activities such as squatting, jumping, or climbing stairs can provoke a sharp pain at the front of the knee, just under the kneecap.
Weakness: If untreated, patellar tendinopathy may result in knee weakness with time, making activities involving leg bending or straightening more difficult.
Causes
Common causes of jumper’s knee include:
Overuse and repetitive strain: The patellar tendon may develop microtears and become inflamed as a result of repetitive jogging, jumping or squatting exercises.
Abrupt increase in activity level: An abrupt increase in the duration, frequency, or intensity of physical activity might put too much strain on the tendon, increasing its vulnerability to damage.
Poor biomechanics: The patellar tendon may be more strained when abnormal movement patterns occur, such as incorrect knee alignment when exercising.
Insufficient stretching or warm-up: Ignoring flexibility exercises, or not warming up adequately before activity can cause muscle and tendon stiffness, which raises the possibility of injury.
Diagnosis
Our physicians at The Joint Pain Clinic normally diagnose patellar tendinopathy by gathering comprehensive information about the symptoms as well as activity level. Next, they will do a physical exam, which involves palpating the patellar tendon to pinpoint the exact source of the pain and assess the range of motion in the knee.
While imaging tests might sometimes fail to detect early overuse damages, an X-ray may be performed to rule out potential causes of knee pain. For advanced situations, ultrasound, or MRI scans can help identify structural injury to the patellar tendon.
Treatment Options
Patellar tendinopathy treatment mainly focuses on relieving symptoms as well as strengthening the soft tissues in the knees. In most cases, we often recommend the following:
Limiting activity: Reduce or refrain from activities or movements that worsen the symptoms since they can exacerbate the injury.
Rest: Reducing physical activity gives the body more time to repair itself.
Ice application: Regularly applying ice to the knee for at least 15 minutes at a time will help lower inflammation.
Pain relief: Minor aches and pains can be relieved with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
Knee support: A brace or other supportive devices help stabilize the knee; hence providing relief.
Physiotherapy: A qualified therapist can guide you through stretches and exercises that progressively increase flexibility and strengthen the affected tendon.
Surgery: Although uncommon, tendon rips detected by imaging tests may require surgical repair.
Prevention
Take into account the following precautions to reduce your chance of developing patellar tendinopathy or other sports injuries:
Use the right equipment: Make sure every sports gear, including shoes and protective supports, fits your body type appropriately.
Stretching: To improve tissue flexibility, and lower the risk of injury, set aside at least five minutes prior to an activity to stretch your main muscle groups.
Gradual warm-up: A thorough warm-up reduces the chance of strain or injury by allowing muscles to prepare. Avoid jumping straight into high-intensity activity.