Patellar Tendinopathy or “Jumpers Knee”
Patellar tendinopathy or “Jumper’s Knee” is a condition where the tendon that attaches from patella (Kneecap) to the front of the shin (tibia) becomes irritated and sore, usually from a lot of jumping. This tendon is called the patellar tendon.
As with most tendinopathies, pain starts when the tissues are not conditioned to handle that amount of volume or load of movement. That could mean doing more than you normally would in a short period of time, like a training camp, or doing something every day that can build up stress over time.
Although jumping is a common cause, any activity that causes the quads to contract can cause it. It is most common in athletes with repetitive loading such as basketball, volleyball, athletic jumping and tennis.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Sharp pain at the front of the knee
- The knee may ache and throb at rest
- Pain after jumping activities
Treatment
Initially the athlete may need to modify activities that aggravate the injury, by decreasing the volume and intensity of exercise or sport. The athlete can continue to train but should minimize activities that aggravate the injury. The first few days you can ease the pain with rest and mobility work. Ice and modalities (Ultrasound, Interferential, etc.) can help manage the pain. The best treatment for patellar tendinopathy is exercises that improve the strength and the capacity of the tendon. If the irritation lasts more than a few days, it is important to see and health care practitioner to diagnose the cause and provide an appropriate treatment plan.
Prognosis
Most tendon injuries are resolved in 8-12 weeks with the help of a dedicated rehab program. It is important to consult a health care practitioner that can properly assess your condition and rule out other knee injuries. X-rays are generally not required for this type of injury, but they may be needed to rule out other injuries.
Prevention
- adequate pre-season training and loading to prepare for practices and games during the season
- Appropriate rest and recovery from training and games, including cool downs, nutrition, hydration and sleep.
- Ensuring that training load during the season doesn’t overload the ability of the tendon.