Patellar tendonitis is a redness of the tendon that joins the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone (tibia). Your discomfort could be slight or severe. Patellar tendonitis can affect anyone. But it’s known as a jumper’s knee because it’s such a common injury among athletes, particularly those who play volleyball, basketball, and football.
What exactly is the source of Patellar Tendonitis?
Stress on the knee causes patellar tendinitis, usually caused by overuse in sports or activity. Constant stress on the knee causes small tears in the tendon, inflammation, and weakening over time.
Factors that may play a role include:
- Leg muscles are tense.
- muscular strength in the legs is uneven
- feet, ankles, and legs that are misaligned
- obesity
- shoes with insufficient cushioning
- surfaces that are difficult to play on
- tenosynovitis (tendonitis) is a condition in which the tendon
Athletes are more at risk because sprinting, jumping, and squatting impose additional force on the patellar tendon. Running, for example, can place up to five times your body weight on your knees.
A jumper’s knee is linked to prolonged durations of strenuous athletic training.
What are the symptoms of patellar tendonitis?
- Patellar tendonitis usually begins with pain and soreness near the base of the kneecap. Bump and a burning sensation in the kneecap are also possible. Kneeling or rising from a squat can be very taxing.
- Initially, the discomfort may be episodic, appearing just after sports or exercise. The discomfort may get more severe as the tendon becomes more injured. It can cause problems with any physical activity and everyday tasks like climbing stairs or sitting in a car.
- If the discomfort or swelling persists for longer than a day or two, consult your doctor.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will inquire about the following topics at the start of your appointment:
Your doctor may apply pressure to portions of your knee during the exam to establish where you are hurting. Patellar tendinitis causes pain in the front region of the knee, directly below the kneecap.
- what are the symptoms you’re having
- when the signs and symptoms appear
- your physical activity
- any pain-relieving methods you have tried
Your doctor will examine your knee physically, looking for areas of pain and bending and extending your leg to establish your range of motion.
Your doctor may also request imaging tests to examine your kneecap and tendon to see if the tendon or bone has been damaged. Using these tests, other probable causes of your pain, such as a fracture, can also be ruled out.
Imaging tests
- One or more of the following imaging tests may be recommended by your doctor:
- X-rays can help rule out other bone abnormalities that could be causing your knee pain.
- Ultrasound. This test creates an image of your knee using sound waves, exposing tears in your patellar tendon.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) creates detailed images by using a magnetic field and radio waves to reveal small changes in the patellar tendon.
Treatment
Doctors usually start with less invasive therapies before moving on to more invasive procedures like surgery.
The degree of your injuries will affect the kind of therapy you receive. The initial line of treatment is usually conservative measures such as pain relief, resting your leg, and stretching and strengthening your leg muscles. A period of regulated rest, during which you avoid activities that impose force on the knee, is usually recommended by your doctor.
Medications
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve and others) are pain medications that may provide temporary relief from the pain of patellar tendinitis.
Therapy
Physical therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of patellar tendinitis by using a range of approaches, including:
- Exercising your muscles
Stretching activities that are done regularly can minimize muscular spasms and lengthen the muscle-tendon unit. During your stretch, don’t bounce.
- Exercises that improve your strength
Weak thigh muscles exacerbate the tension on your patellar tendon. Exercises that entail carefully lowering your leg after extending it, as well as exercises that strengthen all of the leg muscles at once, such as a leg push, can be particularly beneficial.
- A strap around the patellar tendon
A strap that puts pressure on your patellar tendon can help to redirect force away from the tendon and toward the strap. It could aid with pain relief.
- Iontophoresis
This treatment includes applying a corticosteroid to your skin and then pushing the medication through your skin with a device that generates a low electrical charge.
Home remedies and a healthy lifestyle
Consider the following if your knee hurts:
- Analgesics pain relievers. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium may provide temporary pain relief, both available over-the-counter.
- Painful activities should be avoided. You might need to practice your sport less frequently or switch to a lower-impact sport for a while. Working despite pain can harm your patellar tendon even more.
- Ice. After any action that creates pain, you should use ice. Wrap ice in a towel and place it in a plastic bag. Alternatively, try an ice massage. You may freeze water in a plastic foam cup and apply ice straight to your skin while holding the cup.
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