Patella Tendonitis Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

The patella tendon is made up of fibrous tissue that connects the patella (your kneecap) to the tibia (your shinbone). This tendon has an important role in allowing you to extend your knee to perform movements like kicking, running, and jumping. Athletes commonly suffer from patella tendon inflammation, commonly known as “jumper’s knee.” Patella tendonitis) causes pain below the kneecap that can begin to interfere with your sport and daily activities.

Patella tendonitis is commonly caused by overuse of the patella tendon, especially in sports that require a lot of jumping. Small tears can begin to appear in the tendon, resulting in inflammation.

Patella tendonitis is common in these sports:

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Tennis
• Track & field (especially long jump and high jump)
• Skiing
• Gymnastics
• Dance

Patella tendonitis is characterized by pain just below the kneecap. Athletes with jumper’s knee may experience:

• Pain when with jumping and running
• Increasing pain over time
• Weakness in the knee

If you have pain below your kneecap that gets worse or doesn’t improve over time, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor to rule out a more serious injury. Your doctor will ask you questions about your knee pain, including how long you’ve been experiencing it and how it has affected your ability to participate in your sport and perform daily activities. He or she will examine your knee and may order an x-ray to rule out a bone-related issue that may be causing your pain. An magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI) may be ordered to detect tiny tears in your patella tendon and to rule out other causes of your pain.

Patella tendonitis is always treated non-operatively. Home patellar tendonitis treatment may include the following:

• Rest and ice
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like Aspirin) for pain, especially before physical activity
• Wearing a “patella band,” or patella tendon strap, to reduce stress on the tendon
• Wearing a knee support
  With rest and conservative patellar tendonitis treatment, athletes with patella tendonitis usually quickly recover with only a short break from play. Giving your knee sufficient rest and avoiding playing or working out until your pain has resolved is important. Physical therapy will play an essential role in a prompt return to play. Once you’re back in the game, proper stretching and warm-up can help you avoid a repeat injury.
• Physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the patella tendon

If your symptoms persist, your doctor may offer an injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Patella Tendonitis

With rest and conservative patella tendonitis treatment, athletes with patella tendonitis usually quickly recover with only a short break from play. Giving your knee sufficient rest is important and avoiding playing or working out until your pain resolves. Physical therapy will play an important role in a prompt return to play. Once you’re back in the game, proper stretching and warm-up can help you avoid a repeat injury.