What is patellar tendinitis?

This is known as inflammation in the front of the knee of the patellar tendon. I shall relate this to the anatomy of the human body: The patellar tendon is the tendon connecting your knee's kneecap (patella) to the top of the shin bone, which is called the tibia. It works together with the quadriceps to extend your knee and lower leg.

It is an overuse injury to the patellar tendon. Healthcare providers sometimes call it jumper's knee because most patients who present with this complaint are athletes who jump a lot during sports. It can also be referred to as patellar tendonitis or patellar tendinopathy. Again, these terms all describe the same condition.

Regardless of what your provider says, you should see them if you have knee pain that does not improve on its own with some days of rest or over-the-counter treatments.

What are the symptoms of patellar tendinitis?

The most common signs of patellar tendinitis are the following:

• Knee pain that takes place at the front of your knee
• Sensitivity to even a gentle touch directly below your kneecap.
• Stiffness (that can cause you to be unable to bend or straighten your knee).

What does tendinitis pain from the patellar feel like?

Everybody hurts in different ways, but people with jumper knees generally experience a low, dull ache at the front of the knees. Pain usually worsens with use and knee activity, for instance, when you try to straighten it. Generally, climbing stairs going up or down is painful, and so is squatting.

What causes patellar tendinitis?

Patellar tendinitis is a repetitive strain injury. This causes the condition as overuse of the knee and placing too much-repeated stress on your patellar tendon. Usually, it is a sports injury, but any repetitive physical activity, job, or hobby can cause this condition.

You can get microscopic tears in your tendon through repeated wear and tear, such as jumping or sprinting a lot. If you keep using your knee for such rigorous activities, the tears don't have time to heal. This chronic added stress will weaken your tendon, causing soreness.

Damage to your tendon leading to patellar tendinitis develops slowly over time. Two primary activities damage your tendon:

• A sudden surge of high-intensity exercise: If you have also just begun participation in a new sport or rapidly accelerated your intensity of training, your body might not be prepared for the sudden surge in your activity.
• Not resting or doing something too often: The human body needs rest and recovery time between sessions of heavy exercise. Training or putting your knees through activities too often does not provide the patellar tendon the opportunity to heal itself. Try to start activities gradually rather than always training or working out at your physical limit.

What are the risk factors for patellar tendinitis?

Anyone can develop patellar tendinitis. Some individuals are more prone to developing the condition than others. These include:

• Athletes that frequently jump, sprint or change direction as part of their sports activities.
• Competitive athletes, especially professional or elite level athletes.
• People who engage in physically demanding occupations or hobbies.
• Males by birth.
• Over 40 years of age.

Activities that increase the risk of patellar tendinitis include:

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Track and field events such as hurdles, long jump or high jump
• Gymnastics
• Football
• Soccer
• Figure skating

What are the complications of patellar tendinitis?

In rare cases, untreated patellar tendinitis can increase your risk of a patellar tendon tear (rupture). Continued use of your knee when you develop pain or other symptoms puts more stress on those small tears and the risk of a rupture increases.

How is patellar tendonitis diagnosed?

A doctor will be able to diagnose patellar tendinitis during a physical examination. They will look at your knee and compare it with your other, unaffected knee. The provider will also inquire as to when you first noticed symptoms and what you were doing right before they began.

Let your doctor know which sports you participate in, what type of work you do, or even any physical hobbies that you may think caused you to get tendinitis. Inform them if any activities or positions make symptoms worse or better.

Your doctor will use imaging tests, which will take pictures of your knee as well as the soft tissues around it, such as:

• Knee X-ray.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
• Ultrasound

How is patellar tendinitis treated?

Your doctor will outline treatments to aid in the healing of your patellar tendon and to help you cope with the symptoms that you are experiencing. The fastest treatments for patellar tendinitis involve the following:

• Rest: Avoiding the movements or exercise that created the tendinitis will prevent additional stress on your tendon.
• Icing: Use ice or a cold pack on your knee to reduce the swelling. You can ice your knee several times a day, 15 minutes at a time. Wrap ice packs in a thin towel or washcloth in case you do not want to apply them directly to your skin.
• Elevation: Keep your knee above your heart as much as you possibly can. This may be done by rolling up pillows or cushions and placing them between your knee and your bedding.
• Medications: Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs with anti-inflammatory properties will help reduce the inflammation and help alleviate pain. Acetaminophen does primarily take away pain but does not affect or reduce inflammation. Only take these medications for more than 10 days in a row when talking to your provider.
• Brace: You'll probably need a knee brace to provide support that your knee can then hold for you as you heal. Your doctor will determine the frequency and type of brace that you will need.
• Physical therapy (PT): PT will help you be more flexible, and the muscles around your knee will strengthen. This may help your knees be more tolerant to the stress of jumping and move better. A physical therapist will give you exercises and stretches tailored to your sport, activities, or job.

Is surgery need for Patellar tendinitis?

Surgery is rarely needed for the treatment of patellar tendinitis. Your doctor may only advise you to undergo surgery if your patellar tendon has been torn. They may advise the surgery if your symptoms are very severe and cannot be controlled by the available nonsurgical treatments.

Can you get over patellar tendinitis?

Yes and no. Yes, rest and letting your body heal are important parts of the treatment for patellar tendinitis, and your tendon may heal over time. No, in that patellar tendinitis will not improve unless you alter your daily routine.

You should stop doing activities that stress your tendon and avoid sports or activities that lead to tendinitis. Your provider will inform you of how long that should last, depending on your symptoms and the severity of the tendinitis.

How Can I Prevent Patellar Tendinitis?

Patellar tendinitis is best prevented by avoiding overuse of your knees. When engaging in athletics or any other form of exercise, make sure to:

• Do not "play through the pain" if your knee hurts during or after exercise.
• Allow your knee time to rest and recuperate after strenuous activity.
• Warm up and stretch before playing sports or exercising.
• Stretch and cool down after you have been active.
• Do not train year-round. Allow at least one season off per year of a sport.

How long does it take for patellar tendonitis to heal?

Recovery takes time. The details of how you can heal will depend on your symptoms and the degree of tendinitis.

You may start to feel well after a couple of weeks off. However, more severe patellar tendinitis can take longer to heal.

Do not rush your recovery. Forcing yourself too soon only causes further damage to your tendon, which puts you behind even more in recovery.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Have you experienced any of these symptoms? See a provider if you have any of the following:

• A dull pain lasts for several hours after you have stopped exercising around your knee.
• There could be sharp, severe knee pains following sudden movement.
• Pain that gets worse with activity in one or both knees.

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

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