ANTERIOR KNEE PAIN
Patellar tendinitis, commonly known as "Jumper's Knee," is an overuse injury affecting the tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). This powerful tendon works with your quadriceps muscles to extend your leg. Repetitive stress from activities like jumping, running, and kicking can create tiny tears in the tendon, leading to pain and inflammation. While initial pain may be minor, ignoring it can lead to a more severe, chronic condition (tendinosis) that can sideline you from your sport.
RISK FACTORS
Patellar tendinitis is a classic overuse injury caused by repeated strain that creates micro-tears in the tendon. Several factors can increase your risk.
The primary cause is frequent, explosive jumping and landing common in sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field.
Abruptly increasing the intensity, frequency, or duration of your training can overload the patellar tendon before it has time to adapt.
Tightness in the quadriceps or hamstrings can pull on the patellar tendon, increasing strain. Weak quads can also force the tendon to absorb more impact.
Misalignment of your legs, ankles, or feet can cause an uneven distribution of force through the knee, putting extra load on your patellar tendon.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
The pain from Jumper's Knee is typically very specific, located at the front of the knee just below the kneecap, and is directly related to activity.
The primary symptom is a localized aching or sharp pain on the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone.
Initially, pain may only occur at the start of physical activity. As it worsens, pain can be present during and after, and eventually with daily movements.
The affected area on the patellar tendon is usually very tender when you press on it with your finger.
Activities that load the tendon while the knee is bent, such as squatting, kneeling, or climbing stairs, can be particularly painful.
The front of the knee may feel stiff and sore after long periods of rest, like when you first get out of bed.
In more chronic cases, you might notice some swelling or feel a thickening of the tendon below the kneecap.
ADVANCED SOLUTIONS
For chronic Jumper's Knee (tendinosis), treatment must focus on stimulating healing and remodeling the degenerated tendon tissue, not just managing inflammation.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections use your body's own concentrated healing factors to trigger a robust repair response in the chronically damaged tendon.
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A tailored program of eccentric exercises (like slow, controlled squats) is the most proven physical therapy method for strengthening and remodeling the patellar tendon.
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This non-invasive treatment uses acoustic waves to stimulate blood flow and the body's natural healing factors within the damaged tendon.
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A patellar tendon strap (Cho-Pat strap) can be worn during activity to help alter the angle of pull on the tendon and reduce focal strain.
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For stubborn cases of tendinosis, a minimally invasive procedure like TENEX uses ultrasonic energy to remove the damaged tendon tissue and stimulate healing.
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Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a powerful tool that allows us to visualize the tendon damage in real-time to confirm a diagnosis of tendinosis and guide injections.
Learn MoreThe sharp pain of Jumper's Knee can ground even the most explosive athletes. Simply resting often isn't enough for chronic cases. A precise diagnosis and a recovery plan focused on healing, not just masking symptoms, is key. Contact us to explore advanced, non-surgical options that can repair your tendon and get you back in the game.