Patellar Tendinitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Patellar tendinitis, also called jumper’s knee, can be an extremely painful and frustrating injury that often affects athletes and other physically active individuals. Whether you have experienced this condition firsthand or know someone who has, learning more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of patellar tendinitis may help you avoid the condition in the future. Read on to discover what you need to know about patellar tendinitis.

Key facts about patellar tendinitis

The patella tendon is a tendon that attaches the quadriceps muscle group to the tibia or shinbone. It crosses over the kneecap. Patellar tendinitis is inflammation of this tendon at its insertion site just below the knee cap. The pain is felt in your kneecap where it rubs against the femur (thighbone). Common causes are related to activity such as jumping, running up stairs or hills, or kicking a ball too hard. It can be treated with rest, ice pack application to reduce swelling and pain medications for relief from discomfort.

Symptoms

Patellar tendinitis can cause pain in the front of the knee on either side of the joint. The pain is usually aggravated by activities that involve sudden bending or straightening of the knee. Activities like running or jumping may also worsen the pain. There is often swelling in the tendon near where it attaches to the kneecap. Some people experience a sensation that their kneecap pops out when they bend their leg or stand up from a sitting position, which may be relieved by stretching their quadriceps muscles.

Causes

Tendons are the tough fibers that connect muscle to bone, so it's no wonder that patellar tendinitis is often caused by too much jumping or running on hard surfaces. This repetitive stress causes the tendon to swell up like a tightly wound rubber band under the kneecap. 

The result is pain in the front of the knee and down the shin. Stretching can help get it back to normal size, but you should also see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Risks factors

Anyone can develop patellar tendinitis; however, athletes with a higher risk include basketball players, football players, soccer players, tennis players, volleyball players and runners. 

Other factors that may increase your risk of developing patella tendonitis are age (over 40), previous knee injury (especially if the injury was less than six months ago), wearing kneepads for prolonged periods of time or taking long hikes. 

The symptoms of patella tendonitis usually appear gradually in the form of pain or discomfort at the front of the knee or on either side of the kneecap. Pain is often worse when you’re sitting for long periods or after climbing stairs. You may also feel aching pain or burning sensation at night when going to bed.

Treatment options

Treatment for patellar tendinitis typically involves the use of an anti-inflammatory or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 

Pain relievers may also be prescribed to help manage pain. In more severe cases, surgery  of patellar tendon may be necessary to repair the tendon. 

There is no proven remedy for chronic patellar tendinitis; however, increasing activity levels and avoiding prolonged periods of immobility are recommended.

Prevention tips

Tendons attach to muscles in order to provide them with strength and movement. Patellar tendinitis is an inflammation of the patella tendon, which connects the thigh muscle to the kneecap. The pain of this condition is usually felt behind or around the kneecap. Other symptoms include difficulty bending your knee, pain when touching your kneecap, or even a snapping sensation when you move your leg. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors such as overuse from repetitive motion (such as running or jumping) as well as kneeling for long periods without taking breaks. 

To prevent this condition from developing further it is important to take frequent breaks throughout the day and reduce any repetitive motions that may be causing stress on your knees.