Experiencing knee pain can hinder you from doing daily activities, especially for those who have an active lifestyle. One reason behind it could be patellar tendonitis.
If you’re curious about its telltale symptoms and underlying causes, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll also learn the role of biomechanical factors and various ways to recover fast.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a seasoned athlete, understanding patellar tendonitis is the first step towards reclaiming your stride. So, keep reading and let’s get you up and running again!
A distinguishing symptom of patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) is localised pain, just below the kneecap or along the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone (tibia). Activities like jumping, running, squatting, or kneeling can trigger and worsen the pain.
The condition’s severity and other factors (e.g. activity level and underlying biomechanical issues) play significant roles in the varying degrees of intensity and duration. However, you’ll commonly experience swelling and tenderness around the patellar tendon and stiffness or tightness in the knee joint. Some may experience aching or throbbing sensations during or after physical activity. In more severe cases, the pain may persist, which can affect daily living and sports participation.
Recognising these symptoms early is crucial in initiating appropriate treatment and preventing further complications. It’s advisable to seek medical evaluation if your knee pain or discomfort endures to receive an accurate diagnosis and manage patellar tendonitis effectively.
Patellar tendonitis commonly arises due to repetitive stress or overuse of the patellar tendon, resulting in microtears and inflammation. This leads to tissue damage over time. Athletes playing sports like basketball, volleyball, or track and field are usually susceptible as these involve a lot of jumping.
Biomechanical factors also play a significant role in having patellar tendonitis. Poor lower limb alignment, such as flat feet or excessive pronation, can alter the weight and force distribution across the knee joint. As a result, it can place heightened stress on the patellar tendon. Muscle imbalances, particularly weakness or tightness in the quadriceps or hamstrings, may also contribute to excessive tendon loading during movement, making individuals prone to injury.
You’ll have higher chances of developing patellar tendonitis if you suddenly increase your training time and intensity without adequate rest and recovery periods. Using improper equipment (e.g., inadequate sports gear or worn-out shoes) and performing insufficient warm-up and stretching exercises can also contribute to this knee condition.
Understanding these underlying causes is essential to implement preventive strategies and adequately modify training regimens.
There are several ways to diagnose patellar tendonitis. A healthcare professional, often an orthopedic specialist, physical therapist or sports medicine physician, will perform a comprehensive evaluation through medical history inquiry and physical examinations. They may palpate the affected knee to check for inflammation, tenderness and other abnormalities.
Your doctor will usually recommend imaging tests, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of tendon damage. Ultrasound can easily visualise tendon structure and identify thickened and inflamed areas. On the other hand, MRI produces detailed images of soft tissues which can help rule out other knee conditions with similar symptoms.
In some cases, your healthcare professional may order additional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, to evaluate for underlying bone abnormalities or degenerative changes in the knee joint and differentiate it from similar injuries.
Your healthcare provider will develop a tailored treatment plan for your needs and activity goals through these multidisciplinary approaches. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for managing patellar tendonitis and minimising the risk of long-term complications.
Treating patellar tendonitis is a possibility that’s not far from the horizon. You can get knee pain relief in no time through a combination of various conservative measures to reduce pain and inflammation.
Most often, you’ll participate in a structured physical therapy program to help strengthen your knee joint muscles again. Physical therapy (also known as physiotherapy) aims to relieve pain, improve flexibility, and correct biomechanical abnormalities to strengthen weak muscles.
Some therapeutic exercises may include eccentric strengthening, stretching, and proprioceptive training.
Applying ice packs to the affected area can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or ketoprofen, may be recommended to manage pain and swelling.
A knee brace or taping techniques can support the patellar tendon and help alleviate symptoms during physical activity.
In some cases, corticosteroid injections are necessary in reducing inflammation and pain. Another treatment option for patellar tendonitis is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. They contain growth factors that promote tissue healing.
ESWT can aid in healing and reducing pain in chronic cases of patellar tendonitis by applying shock waves to the affected area.
If conservative treatments don’t work (generally in severe cases), surgery comes into consideration. Procedures like tendon debridement, tenotomy or tendon repair can repair tendon damage and restore its normal function.
Alternative treatments are always available to alleviate patellar tendonitis symptoms. You can explore acupuncture, massage therapy and dietary supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Some affected individuals find relief in incorporating these into their comprehensive treatment approaches, although limited evidence supports their effectiveness.
Dealing with patellar tendonitis is not a walk in the park. So, you should work closely with healthcare providers. They can develop a personalised treatment plan for you through proper assessment and evaluation.
It’s also imperative to be consistent in your treatment plans and adhere to rehabilitation protocols to achieve optimal recovery and prevent symptoms from recurring.
In between activity and injury is recovery, and it’s just as important (if not more) than the activity itself.
Recovery time for patellar tendonitis looks different for everyone since it depends on the condition’s severity, adherence to treatment protocols and other individual factors. In mild cases, rest, physical therapy and activity modification may improve symptoms within a few weeks to a few months. However, more severe and advanced cases may require several months of dedicated rehabilitation and a gradual return to activity.
Make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations, including adequate rest, exercises, and lifestyle adjustments, to promote healing and prevent recurrence.
Recuperation can be difficult and frustrating, but giving your body the time it needs will help you achieve full recovery from patellar tendonitis.
Patellar tendonitis happens to the best of us. But upon recognising its symptoms and understanding its causes, it demands attention and the right approach to managing it.
It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional because they can assist you in implementing targeted treatments that promote knee health. Examples of treatments are doing physical therapy, modifying daily activities or exploring alternative therapies. These various options are accessible on your road to recovery, so you can immediately get back to your passions.
Your journey to healing from patellar tendonitis will not be an easy feat. But with proper care, determination, patience and consistency, you’ll reach the finish line — the active lifestyle you love, with more confidence and vigour than ever before.
