Patellar tendonitis, also called jumper’s knee, is a painful condition that affects the patellar tendon which connects the shin bone to your kneecap. This tendon is used alongside the muscles at the front of the thigh when you walk, run, jump or kick.
What causes patellar tendonitis?
The condition is caused by overusing your knee joint and is most often sports-related. People involved in high impact sports like volleyball, basketball and running may be particularly at risk.
As the name suggests, jumper’s knee may be the result of frequent jumping, particularly on hard surfaces, which can strain the tendon causing tiny tears. This results in inflammation and, if left untreated, the number of tiny tears increases, weakening the tendon and potentially leading to larger tears.
As well as being linked to certain sports, patellar tendonitis can also be the result of certain chronic illnesses – such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or lupus – which disrupt blood flow to the knee and can weaken the tendons. Tight thigh muscles and hamstrings can also increase strain on your patellar tendon, as can a sudden increase in the intensity of sports training, wearing the wrong running shoes or using poor technique.
What are the symptoms of patellar tendonitis?
The symptoms of patellar tendonitis include pain, swelling and tenderness in the front part of your knee just below your kneecap. You may experience increased pain when you jump, run or walk, as well as when bending or straightening your leg. Over time, the pain may start to worsen, until eventually you may find it difficult to perform everyday activities such as walking, going upstairs or getting up from a chair.
How is patellar tendonitis diagnosed?
If you start to experience pain in and around your kneecap, it is advisable to rest the affected area. If the pain is getting worse and starting to affect your everyday activities or if you have swelling and redness around the joint, you need to see a doctor. They will carry out a physical examination to see where the pain is coming from. You may be referred for an ultrasound which can reveal any tears in your patellar tendon, an MRI scan which can provide detailed images of the affected area or an X-ray to rule out other possible causes of knee pain.
What treatments are available for patellar tendonitis?
If a diagnosis of patellar tendonitis is confirmed, it is important to stop doing whatever you were doing to cause the problem so you can give your body an opportunity to heal. You should rest the affected area, elevate the knee and use icepacks to reduce swelling. Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories should help to relieve the pain. A physiotherapist will be able to recommend exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles around the knee. This will help to reduce muscle spasms and relieve strain on your patellar tendon caused by weak thigh muscles. A patellar tendon strap may also be used to distribute pressure away from the tendon to relieve pain.
If these conservative treatments don’t help, you may be offered other types of therapies. An injection of corticosteroids into the area around the patellar tendon may help to relieve pain although there can be a risk of weakening your tendon so your surgeon will discuss the pros and cons with you. Alternatively, you may be offered a platelet-rich plasma injection which stimulates the body’s own natural healing process. Rarely you may need a surgical procedure called debridement of the patellar tendon, which involves removing the damaged area of tendon but is only offered if other less-invasive treatments fail.
Can I prevent patellar tendonitis?
It is not always possible to prevent patellar tendonitis, particularly if it is associated with chronic health conditions. However, if you are playing sport it is important to stop if you develop knee-pain and rest until your knee has recovered. Strengthening your thigh muscles can help them to become better able to support the patellar tendon and prevent injury. If you are starting a new sport, it is advisable to have some professional coaching to ensure you develop good technique which can help you to avoid becoming injured.
If you suspect you may have patellar tendonitis, contact us for advice on diagnosis and treatment.
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