If you’ve ever felt a sharp or nagging pain just below your kneecap, especially when running, jumping, or even climbing stairs, you might be dealing with patellar tendinopathy – also known as “jumper’s knee.” It’s a common issue that affects athletes and active individuals, but anyone who puts stress on their knees can experience it.
So, what exactly is Patellar Tendinopathy?
Patellar tendinopathy occurs when the patellar tendon is overused, leading to tiny tears and degeneration of the tendon fibres. This tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia) and plays a vital role in movements like jumping, running, and squatting.
Unlike tendinitis, which involves acute inflammation, tendinopathy is a chronic condition characterised by tissue damage and impaired healing.
What are the symptoms of Patellar Tendinopathy?
The primary symptom is pain at the base of the kneecap, particularly during activities that involve loading the knee, such as climbing stairs, jumping, or prolonged sitting. Swelling, stiffness, and tenderness to touch may also accompany the pain.
Who is at Risk?
Several factors increase the risk of developing patellar tendinopathy, including:
- High-impact activities: Sports like basketball, volleyball, or running that involve repetitive jumping or sudden direction changes.
- Training errors: Rapid increases in training intensity or volume can overstrain the tendon.
- Biomechanical issues: Poor alignment, weak quadriceps, or tight hamstrings can place extra stress on the patellar tendon.
- Age: While it can affect individuals of all ages, it’s most common in younger athletes.
Diagnosis
A proper diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy involves a thorough clinical evaluation – assessing the patient’s history, symptoms, and physical movements to identify the source of pain. Imaging techniques, such as ultrasound or MRI, can be used to evaluate the extent of tendon damage and rule out other conditions.
Treatment Options
The goal of treating Patellar Tendinopathy is to reduce pain, restore function, and address the underlying causes to prevent recurrence.
Rest and Activity Modification:
Reducing or modifying activities that strain the tendon allows it to heal. Low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling may be substituted.
Physical Therapy:
A tailored exercise program focusing on strengthening and stretching the quadriceps, hamstrings, and surrounding muscles helps improve tendon resilience. Eccentric exercises, where the tendon lengthens under tension, are particularly effective.
Pain Management:
Ice/heat, anti-inflammatory medications and topical treatments can provide temporary relief.
Advanced Therapies:
Shockwave Therapy
Stimulates healing by delivering targeted energy waves to the tendon.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Enhance tendon repair using growth factors derived from the patient’s blood.
Ultrasound-Guided Injections –
Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid can be injected directly into the affected area for pain relief and inflammation control.
Corticosteroid Injections
If pain persists despite other treatments, corticosteroid injections can be administered to reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief. It is a potent anti-inflammatory and is very effective at reducing the pain and associated swelling. The steroid is combined with a local anaesthetic to ensure the procedure is relatively pain-free, and is carried out using ultrasound guidance to ensure the needle is placed in the correct place to get maximal pain relief.
Viscosupplement Injections
Viscosupplementation injections for patellar tendinopathy aim to reduce friction in the tendon, promote healing, and relieve inflammation. A gel-like substance, typically hyaluronic acid (HA), is injected into the affected tendon to provide lubrication and reduce pain. Typically lasting for up to 3-6 months, HA doesn’t weaken joints with repeated injections so can be repeated indefinitely.
Prolozone Injections
Prolotherapy is a regenerative treatment option for patellar tendinopathy, often used when other treatments, like rest or physical therapy, have not provided adequate relief. It involves injecting a dextrose solution into the affected area to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The solution promotes collagen production, strengthening the tendon and reducing pain over time.
By targeting the root cause of the issue- tendon degeneration- it offers a safe and effective option for patients looking to regain mobility and return to their active lifestyles.
Surgery
In severe cases that do not respond to conservative treatments, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the damaged tendon.
Prevention
Preventing patellar tendinopathy involves maintaining strong, flexible muscles around the knee, using proper techniques during activities, and avoiding sudden increases in training intensity. Incorporating regular warm-ups and cooldowns can also minimise tendon stress.
Patellar tendinopathy can be debilitating, but with early intervention and the right treatment plan, recovery is achievable. Whether you’re an athlete or someone managing knee pain in daily life, addressing the issue promptly can help you regain mobility and return to the activities you love.
Private Injection Clinics offer both steroid injections and prolozone injections to treat many different MSK related pains – including patellar tendinopathy. The Optimum spine Centre offers shockwave therapy. For more information please take a look at the websites.
The Optimum Spine Centre and Private Injection Clinics are based on the coast in Leigh on Sea, and in Colchester, Essex – perfect for patients in Essex, Kent, London, and surrounding areas.