Patellar Tendonitis Treatment

Patellar tendonitis treatment, exercises, symptoms,
and all else you need to know
Patellar tendonitis — also called jumper’s knee — is a common overuse

injury in athletes. It happens when the tendons connecting the kneecap to
the shinbone become inflamed and painful.
Repetitive motions, such as running and jumping, can aggravate the tendons
connecting the kneecap and shinbone. When these tendons undergo
repetitive strain, a person can develop tendonitis. This is a common
condition that causes pain in an injured tendon.
Usually, people can manage tendonitis with rest, ice, and over-the-counter
(OTC) pain relievers. If these home treatment options do not relieve
symptoms, a person may need to contact a doctor.
Read more about what causes patellar tendonitis, stretches and exercises to
treat it, and more.
What is patellar tendonitis?
jacoblund/Getty Images
Tendons are strong, flexible bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
They help a person move their limbs and joints.
If someone overuses or places too much strain on a tendon, tiny tears can
develop, which can cause pain and inflammation.
In patellar tendonitisTrusted Source, a person injures the tendons
connecting the kneecap and shinbone. It is common in people doing sports
that involve repetitive running and jumping. Patellar tendonitis is also called:
 patellar tendinosis
 patellar tendinopathy
 jumper’s knee
Patellar tendonitis develops gradually. The condition becomes more severe

each time the tendon is overstressed, so it is essential for a person to rest
their knee after each injury. This will give the body time to heal.
Treatment
Treatment for patellar tendonitis usually focuses on reducing pain and
inflammation.
First, a person should stop any activities that could worsen the injury, giving
the body time to heal. This means they should avoid any activities that may
have contributed to the injury, such as jumping and high-impact sports.
They should also rest the affected leg, apply ice to the area, and take
OTC anti-inflammatory medication. These measures can reduce swelling,
which can lessen pain..
If home treatment measures do not resolve a person’s symptoms — or the

tendonitis returns — they may need to contact a doctor. They can
recommend further treatment depending on the injury, a person’s age, and
activity level.
Small or partial tears may require rest and rehabilitation exercises. However,
if someone’s injury is more serious, a doctor may suggest wearing a knee
brace for 3–6 weeks. This will immobilize the joint, allowing the tendon to
heal.
Physical therapy can help to gradually restore movement as the tendon

heals. A physical therapist may also recommend strengthening and
stretching exercises people can do at home.
Additionally, a physical therapist can help prevent re-injury by finding the

cause of the tendonitis. To do this, they can examine a person’s movement
patterns and determine why the tendons are being overloaded. For
instanceTrusted Source, if a person has weak hips, the knees may take more
of the impact when running or jumping, which can cause pain.
In rare cases, untreated tendonitis can lead to a complete tendon tear. If
this happens, a person may need surgery to reattach the tendon to the
bone.
Exercises and stretches

If a person has patellar tendonitis, they may want to contact a doctor or
physical therapist to recommend exercises. Doing the wrong exercises, or
doing too much too soon, can cause further damage. People should be
careful to do gentle exercises and progress slowly.
Some examples of exercises that may be helpful includeTrusted Source
Seated hamstring stretch
Sitting on the floor, stretch one leg straight in front. Keeping the leg straight
and toes pointed upwards, gently lean towards the foot. Hold this position
for 30 seconds and repeat on both sides.
Quad stretch
With one hand on a wall or chair for support, grasp one ankle and gently pull
it towards the buttocks. Hold this position for 30 seconds. Slowly release the
foot and repeat on the other side.
Alternatively, a person can practice a prone quad stretch by lying on their

stomach and gently pulling their heel to their buttocks.
Squats
Standing with the feet shoulder-width apart. Keeping the back straight,
slowly bend the knees while engaging the glutes. Go as low as is
comfortable. Repeat 8–10 times.
Alternatively, a person can try a decline squat by placing their heels on a

small block or thick book. This takes some of the strain off the patellar
tendons when performing a squat.
Supine leg lifts
Lay on the back with the legs extended up straight. Slowly lower one leg
while keeping the knee straight, then activate the quads to lift the leg.
Repeat 5 times on each side.
Causes
Repetitive activities are usually the cause of patellar tendonitis. It is common

in people who play sports that involve running and jumping. For example, a
2017 German study found that around 13%Trusted Source of young soccer
players experienced patellar tendonitis.
Suddenly increasing a person’s training volume, running or jumping on hard

surfaces such as concrete, and exercising too much can also cause
tendonitis.
Symptoms
The main symptom of patellar tendonitis is a dull pain just below the

kneecap. There may also be swelling and tenderness around the knee. At
first, a person’s symptoms may be mild, only occurring during intense
exercise. However, they can worsen over time.
If patellar tendonitis goes untreated, a person may risk a tendon tear.

A large tear of the patella tendon is a serious injury, and a complete tear will
separate the tendon from the kneecap. They may hear a tearing or popping
sound and feel significant pain.
Diagnosis
It is important not to ignore ongoing knee pain or discomfort. Identifying

patellar tendonitis early means the condition will be easier and quicker to
treat, reducing a person’s risk of serious injury.
A doctor or physical therapist will diagnoseTrusted Source this condition by

doing a physical exam. They may put some gentle pressure on the knee and
test its range of motion. Additionally, they might ask about a person’s
symptoms and how long they have been experiencing pain.
There are several ways to diagnose patellar tendonitis, so a person’s

experience may vary. Doctors commonly use ultrasound to identify the
condition and look for any serious tendon damage. They may order
an MRI to get a detailed picture of a person’s injury in more severe cases.
Prevention
After an individual has recovered from patellar tendonitis, they can take steps to prevent
future injuries.
Anyone who plays a sport involving repetitive running and jumping can reduce their
riskTrusted Source of injury by:
 warming up and stretching before exercise

 cooling down and stretching after exercise
 wearing knee support when playing sports
 doing exercises to strengthen the leg muscles and support the knees
 avoiding jumping and landing on very hard surfaces, such as concrete
Recovery time
Recovery timeTrusted Source for patellar tendonitis varies. It depends on how severe a
person’s injury is, their overall health and age, and how they treat the condition.
If a person has mild tendonitis, they may be able to return to their normal activities in 3
weeks. In more severe cases, it may take 3 months or more to recover.
Some people have ongoing knee pain even after recovering from patellar tendonitis.
Although pain is usually mild and manageable, persistent tendonitis can prevent a
person from doing certain sports.
Outlook
Patellar tendonitis can develop gradually, so it can be difficult to recognize at first.
Anyone with ongoing discomfort or knee pain should contact a doctor to evaluate their
knee.
Resting and bracing the knee gives a tendon time to heal. In most cases, mild patellar
tendonitis heals in a few weeks. If the pain continues, a doctor or physical therapist can
recommend further treatment options.
Summary
Patellar tendonitis is a common knee injury among athletes. Repetitive running and
jumping damage the patellar tendon, causing pain and inflammation.
The best treatment is to rest and avoid activities that might worsen the damage. Doctors
may also recommend physical therapy exercises, modifying activities, ice and heat, and
painkillers.
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Patellar tendonitis treatment, exercises, symptoms,

and all else you need to know

Patellar tendonitis — also called jumper’s knee — is a common overuse

What is patellar tendonitis?

Patellar tendonitis develops gradually. The condition becomes more severe

If home treatment measures do not resolve a person’s symptoms — or the

Physical therapy can help to gradually restore movement as the tendon

Additionally, a physical therapist can help prevent re-injury by finding the

Exercises and stretches

Some examples of exercises that may be helpful includeTrusted Source

Seated hamstring stretch

Alternatively, a person can practice a prone quad stretch by lying on their

Alternatively, a person can try a decline squat by placing their heels on a

Supine leg lifts

Repetitive activities are usually the cause of patellar tendonitis. It is common

Suddenly increasing a person’s training volume, running or jumping on hard

The main symptom of patellar tendonitis is a dull pain just below the

If patellar tendonitis goes untreated, a person may risk a tendon tear.

It is important not to ignore ongoing knee pain or discomfort. Identifying

A doctor or physical therapist will diagnoseTrusted Source this condition by

There are several ways to diagnose patellar tendonitis, so a person’s

 warming up and stretching before exercise

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