Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) is an overuse injury affecting the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone, vital for jumping and kicking.

Symptoms

• Pain and tenderness around the kneecap
• Swelling or thickening of the tendon
• Worsening pain during jumping, running, squatting, or going down stairs

Causes & Risk Factors

Caused by repetitive stress on the knee joint. Risk factors include rigorous jumping sports (basketball, volleyball), tight leg muscles, sudden increases in training intensity, and hard training surfaces.

Diagnosis

Our Premier Orthopaedics specialists diagnose patellar tendonitis through a physical examination, checking for tenderness, and imaging tools like X-rays or ultrasounds to assess tendon damage.

Treatment

Most cases improve with conservative care:

• Rest and activity modification
• Physical therapy for stretching and strengthening
• Pain relievers or bracing

Severe cases may require advanced non-surgical therapies or specialized interventions.