Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper's Knee)

Inflammation of the ligament that connects your knee cap (patella) to your lower leg bone (tibia). The inflammation is most often caused by repetitive or overuse.

Risk Factors
  • playing in sports that require lots of jumping
  • tight quadricep and hamstring muscles
  • sudden change in sport intensity or or activity level
  • training / playing on hard surfaces
  • poor biomechanics
  • changing from one sport to another

  • Symptoms
  • pain or tenderness just below the kneecap
  • pain or tightness when squatting, bending, or straightening the knee / leg
  • pain or discomfort below the knee with jumping, running or walking

  • Treatments
  • rest
  • ice
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • infrapatellar strap/knee band
  • physical therapy
  • soft tissue therapies / massage
  • cortisone injections
  • surgery

  • Prevention
  • perform regular exercises to improve strength and flexibility of the quadriceps, hamstring, adductor and IT band
  • avoid activity that require repetitive or stressfull jumping or running
  • increase activity level gradually
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