Patellar Tendinitis

The patellar tendon is located just below your kneecap. It connects your powerful quadriceps muscle on the front of your thigh to the top of your tibia, or shin bone. When the quadriceps contract, the tendon attachment pulls the shin bone to straighten your knee from a bent position. Since the quadriceps are important muscles used in running and jumping activities, overuse and inflammation can occur in the patellar tendon. Patellar tendinitis is also called “jumper’s knee.”

Signs and Symptoms When you have patellar tendinitis, you have pain, tenderness and inflammation just below the kneecap in the area of the tendon. It may hurt to go up and down stairs, to run or jump, or even to straighten your knee. With more severe cases, you have swelling near the tendon area. Chronic patellar tendinitis can lead to tendinosis, which is a degenerative breakdown of the tendon tissue.

Treatment includes modifying your activity and possible rest. A knee strap is often helpful. Use ice for pain control during the initial phases of the injury. Be sure to have your knee evaluated by one of the athletic trainers or your physician. Once the injury starts to feel better, heat, stretching, and strengthening exercises can be done under the supervision of the athletic trainers.