04/11/2025
Patella Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
What is It?
Patella Tendinopathy, often known as Jumper’s Knee, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness at the front of the knee, just below the kneecap. It occurs when the patellar tendon — which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia) — becomes irritated or overloaded, leading to small tears and degeneration of the tendon tissue.
Causes:
This condition commonly develops from repetitive stress on the knee, especially through activities involving jumping, running, or sudden changes of direction. It’s often seen in sports such as basketball, football, and volleyball — but it can also occur in non-athletes due to muscle imbalance, poor biomechanics, or overtraining.
Symptoms:
- Pain and tenderness just below the kneecap
- Stiffness in the knee, especially after activity or rest
- Discomfort when squatting, jumping, or climbing stairs
- Gradual onset of pain that worsens with continued activity
Treatment Options:
Effective management focuses on reducing pain, promoting healing, and restoring tendon strength and function. Treatments may include:
- Physiotherapy: Tailored rehabilitation programs focusing on eccentric loading exercises to strengthen the tendon and improve function.
- Shockwave Therapy: Stimulates healing and reduces pain in chronic tendon injuries.
- Manual Therapy: Helps improve flexibility and address contributing factors such as tight quadriceps or hip muscles.
- Dry Needling: Targets trigger points and promotes tendon recovery.
- Biomechanical Assessment: Identifies movement or alignment issues contributing to overload.
- Home Exercise Program: Structured exercises to support long-term recovery and prevent recurrence.
Patella Tendinopathy can be frustrating and limit your ability to stay active — but with the right treatment, recovery is absolutely achievable.
📞 Call us today on 01276 459049 to book an assessment and start your recovery.
