Patella tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, is an overuse injury that causes tenderness and pain at the front of the knee.
The patella tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia) at the front of the leg. When it is stressed and overused, the tendon becomes inflamed.
Jumper’s knee weakens the tendon, and if it isn’t treated early enough, it can lead to tears in the tendon. While small tears can be managed by the body, an increase in training, especially sports involving lots of jumping, can result in patella tendinopathy.
Causes of Patella Tendinopathy
Like other overuse injuries, the jumper’s knee is caused by repetitive stress on the tendon. This injury is common in people who play sports, particularly those that involve frequent jumping on hard surfaces, such as volleyball, gymnastics, basketball, and soccer.
Any increase in training levels can cause stress to the tendon and small tears, which the body attempts to repair by itself. If the jumping activities are not modified, the tears multiply, and the knee area becomes painful. When the tendon damage persists for a few weeks, it is known as tendinopathy.
It is worth remembering that people who do a lot of jumping are not the only ones who can experience this injury. Other risk factors to consider include sudden increases in training loads, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney failure, and muscle imbalances in the legs.
Symptoms of Jumper’s KneJumper’serson may have varying symptoms, but common ones include:
● Pain and tenderness are felt around the tendon at the front of the knee.
● There may be some swelling around the knee.
● Sometimes, tenderness can be behind the kneecap’s lokneecap’s
● Pain increases with walking, running, and jumping.
● Pain when bending or straightening the leg.
Treatment of Jumper’s KneJumper’sgree of injury to the patella tendon will determine the recommended treatment for three main stages of patella tendinopathy:
● Stage 1 – During this stage, pain is often only felt after activity and doesn’t affect doesn’t function. Using ice packs after exercising can help reduce inflammation and discomfort.
● Stage 2 – Pain will be felt during and after activity, but it doesn’t prevent people from playing sports. Activities that increase the load on the patella tendon should be avoided, and you are likely to benefit from a physical therapy program.
● Stage 3 – Pain is usually sustained during this stage, and your performance will likely be affected. Relative rest for an extended period may be needed.
A conservative management program is helpful for most people experiencing this type of knee pain. A physiotherapist at Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy can guide you on the treatments that will best help your recovery.
1. Relative Rest
Patella tendinopathy needs a period of rest initially, but not total rest, as that can worsen the problem. A physio will be able to find the balance between rest and exercise, depending on the severity of your injury.
2. Pain Monitoring
Understanding thata jumper’s knee is caused by an increase in intensity, frequency, and volume of loading on the patella tendon is important. So is monitoring your pain levels throughout your rehabilitation.
Noting the pain during exercise, immediately after exercise, and the following day will help determine any changes you need to make to your treatment plan. Ask yourself if the pain is tolerable during exercise, whether it is worse, better, or the same straight after training and the following day.
3. Strengthening
Specific exercises to strengthen the lower body, specifically the hips, quads, and hamstrings, will support your knee to assist with recovery and reduce the chance of an injury reoccurring.
Your physiotherapist will be able to advise on the most effective strengthening exercises. Isometric exercises are contractions of a specific muscle or muscle group, and they can help reduce patella tendon pain. Weak glutes can affect the position of the knee, affecting the tendon, so focusing on strengthening those muscles is also recommended.
Stretching these areas can reduce pain and stiffness, but loading the tendon is key.
4. Cryotherapy
Applying ice packs to the affected knee for 10-15 minutes every couple of hours after exercising can help reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain.
Other Options for Jumper’s Knee
SoJumper’s complex cases require boosting physiotherapy treatment. Shockwave therapy uses a machine that produces soundwaves to help heal tendons by reducing pain and remodeling the tendon. It may be useful for chronic tendon pain, especially if other treatments have failed.
Tendon injections are another option, such as using cortisone for patella tendinopathy. Surgery is sometimes necessary when pain is continuous, even during rest.
Tendons can take weeks or months to settle, but the long-term prognosis is often positive if a detailed exercise rehabilitation program is implemented. The physiotherapists at Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy can help identify the causes of patella tendon pain and personalize a treatment plan to reduce pain and get you back to doing the things you enjoy pain-free. Schedule an assessment by calling or booking online.
