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Patella Tendonitis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The patella tendon is a strong band of fibrous tissue that connects the patella (kneecap) to the tibia (shinbone). This tendon plays a critical role in straightening the knee and is essential for movements such as jumping, running, kicking, and landing. Patella tendonitis, commonly referred to as jumper’s knee, occurs when this tendon becomes irritated or inflamed due to repetitive stress, leading to patella tendon pain that can interfere with sports and daily activities.

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Overview
Causes
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Non-operative treatment
Recovery

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Overview

Patella tendonitis is an overuse injury that develops when repetitive loading places excessive strain on the patella tendon. Over time, this stress causes microscopic damage within the tendon, leading to inflammation, pain, and reduced knee function. Athletes involved in jumping or high-impact sports are most affected, but patella tendonitis can also occur in physically active individuals or those with poor lower-body mechanics.

What causes Patella Tendonitis?

1. How Patella Tendonitis Develops

Patella tendonitis develops when repeated stress exceeds the tendon’s ability to recover. Each jump, landing, or sprint places force through the patella tendon. Without adequate rest, small micro-tears form in the tendon tissue. Over time, these tears accumulate, leading to inflammation, tendon degeneration, and worsening patella tendon pain.

2. Common Causes

Several factors contribute to the development of patella tendonitis, including:

Repetitive jumping or running
Sudden increases in training intensity or frequency
Inadequate recovery time between workouts
Tight quadriceps or hamstring muscles
Poor biomechanics, such as improper landing technique
Muscle imbalances or weakness in the hips and thighs

These factors increase strain on the tendon and raise the risk of developing chronic patella tendonitis.

Sports Commonly Associated With Patella Tendonitis

Patella tendonitis is especially common in sports that involve frequent jumping, sprinting, or sudden directional changes, including:

Basketball – repeated jumping and landing place high loads on the patella tendon
Soccer – sprinting, kicking, and abrupt stops strain the knee extensor mechanism
Volleyball – explosive jumping during serves and spikes
Tennis – rapid acceleration, deceleration, and lunging movements
Track & field – especially long jump and high jump events
Skiing – sustained knee flexion and impact forces
Gymnastics – repeated high-impact landings
Dance – frequent jumping, squatting, and knee loading

Athletes in these sports are at increased risk for developing patella tendonitis due to repetitive tendon stress.

Symptoms

Patellar tendonitis symptoms typically develop gradually and worsen with continued activity.

Common symptoms include:

Inferior patellar pain, felt just below the kneecap
Pain during or after jumping, running, or squatting
Increasing pain as activity continues
Stiffness in the knee, especially after rest
Localized tenderness over the patella tendon
Weakness or reduced power in the affected knee

In the early stages, pain may subside with rest. As the condition progresses, patella tendon pain may persist even during daily activities.

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor if pain below your kneecap:

Persists despite rest
Worsens over time
Interferes with sports or daily activities

Your doctor will ask about your activity level, training routine, and duration of symptoms. A physical examination will assess tenderness and knee function. Imaging may include:

X-ray to rule out bone-related problems
MRI to detect tendon damage, inflammation, or small tears

Early evaluation helps guide appropriate patellar tendonitis treatment and prevents progression to tendon degeneration or tearing.

Non-operative treatment

Patella tendonitis is almost always treated non-surgically. The goal of patellar tendonitis treatment is to reduce pain, promote tendon healing, and restore knee strength.

Conservative treatment options include:

Rest and activity modification to reduce tendon stress
Ice therapy to control pain and inflammation
NSAIDs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) for short-term pain relief
Patella tendon strap or band to reduce tendon load
Knee support or brace for added stability
Physical therapy, focusing on stretching and strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles

Exercise Program

A structured exercise program is essential for recovery.
(Refer to the PDF Exercise Program below)
Patella Tendonitis

Recovery

With proper rest and conservative patellar tendonitis treatment, most athletes recover with a temporary break from sport. Recovery depends on:

Severity of the tendon injury
Adherence to rehabilitation exercises
Gradual return to activity

Physical therapy plays a key role in restoring strength and preventing recurrence. Once pain-free, proper warm-up routines and load management help reduce the risk of future injury.

Reviewed By

Jay Kimmel

Dr. Jay Kimmel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, and shoulder and knee disorders. He completed his orthopedic training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Temple University.

Dr. Kimmel previously served as the Director of the Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute at Saint Francis Hospital and has held faculty appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Orthopedics and Family Medicine at the University of Connecticut. He has extensive experience caring for athletes as a team physician for high school and collegiate programs and continues to teach in the athletic training departments at Westfield State University and Springfield College.

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