Patellar Tendinopathy
Pain just below your kneecap can make it harder to run, squat, climb stairs, or even get up from a chair. If the pain keeps coming back when you’re active, patellar tendinopathy could be the cause.
Patellar tendinopathy affects the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone. It’s sometimes called jumper’s knee because it’s common in sports that involve repeated jumping and landing. But you don’t have to be an athlete to develop it. Runners, weightlifters, and people with physically demanding jobs can also have patellar tendon pain.
At Axion Spine & Neurosurgery in Atlanta, we diagnose and treat patellar tendinopathy using nonsurgical treatments aimed at reducing pain and getting you back to the activities you enjoy.
Where Is the Patellar Tendon?
The patellar tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects the bottom of your kneecap, or patella, to the upper part of your shinbone. It works with the muscles at the front of your thigh to straighten your knee.
Running, jumping, squatting, climbing stairs, and standing up from a chair all put force on the patellar tendon.
Patellar tendinopathy most often causes pain where the tendon connects to the bottom of the kneecap.
What Causes Patellar Tendinopathy?
Patellar tendinopathy usually develops over time instead of after one sudden injury. Repeated activity can put more stress on the tendon than it can handle.
A sudden increase in activity can also trigger symptoms. This may happen when you:
- Add more miles to your runs
- Start jump training
- Increase the weight you use during squats
- Return to a sport after taking time off
Over time, repeated stress can cause changes within the tendon. This is why doctors often use the term “tendinopathy” instead of “tendinitis.” Inflammation isn’t usually the main problem in long-term patellar tendinopathy.
What Does Patellar Tendinopathy Feel Like?
Patellar tendinopathy usually causes pain in a specific spot just below the kneecap. You may even be able to point to the painful area with one finger.
Other symptoms may include:
- Pain when jumping or landing
- Pain while running
- Pain when squatting or climbing stairs
- Tenderness below the kneecap
- Increased soreness after a hard workout
At first, your knee may hurt when you start exercising and then feel better once you warm up. As the condition gets worse, pain may start earlier and last longer after activity.
How Does a Physiatrist Diagnose Patellar Tendinopathy?
A physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat muscle, joint, tendon, and nerve problems with a focus on nonsurgical care and restoring function.
Your physiatrist will ask where you feel pain, when it started, and which activities make it worse. They’ll also want to know if you’ve recently changed your workout, training schedule, or activity level.
A physical exam is often enough to diagnose patellar tendinopathy. Your doctor will also examine the rest of your knee because other conditions, including arthritis, meniscus injuries, and patellofemoral pain, can cause similar symptoms.
You won’t always need imaging. When it’s necessary, your doctor may recommend:
- Ultrasound to look for thickening or other changes in the patellar tendon
- MRI to get a more detailed look at the knee if your doctor suspects a tear or isn’t sure what’s causing your pain
Imaging can sometimes show tendon changes in people who don’t have symptoms. That’s why your doctor considers the images along with your symptoms and physical exam.
How Is Patellar Tendinopathy Treated Without Surgery?
Treatment usually starts by reducing stress on the tendon. Then, you’ll slowly build its strength back up. You may need to temporarily cut back on running, jumping, or other activities that make your pain worse, but complete rest isn’t always necessary.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Changes to your workouts or activities
- Physical therapy or a guided exercise program
- Exercises that gradually strengthen the tendon
- A patellar tendon strap or taping during certain activities
- Medication for short-term pain relief when appropriate
A physiatrist can help you decide which activities are safe while your tendon recovers. The goal isn’t just to reduce pain. Treatment also focuses on improving strength and function so you can return to the activities that matter to you.
What About Peptide Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy?
Peptide therapy is an emerging treatment that may be considered as part of a larger treatment plan for some tendon injuries. BPC-157 is one peptide that may be considered for musculoskeletal conditions.
Early laboratory and animal studies have looked at BPC-157’s potential role in tendon and tissue repair. But human research is very limited, and BPC-157 isn’t FDA-approved to treat patellar tendinopathy.
Peptide therapy hasn’t been proven to heal patellar tendinopathy and shouldn’t replace treatments that address the cause of your knee pain. If peptide therapy is appropriate for you, it may be used alongside activity changes, progressive strengthening, and other nonsurgical treatments.
When Should You See a Doctor for Patellar Tendon Pain?
An occasional sore knee after a tough workout may improve with rest and activity changes. But pain that keeps coming back or interferes with your normal activities deserves a closer look.
Make an appointment if:
- Pain below your kneecap doesn’t improve after reducing the activity that caused it
- Pain returns whenever you exercise
- Knee pain makes it difficult to climb stairs, exercise, or do everyday activities
- Your symptoms are getting worse instead of better
Seek prompt medical care after a sudden knee injury if you have severe pain or swelling, can’t put weight on your leg or can’t straighten your knee.
Get Treatment for Patellar Tendinopathy in Atlanta
You don’t have to keep working around knee pain. If patellar tendinopathy is making it harder to exercise, work, or stay active, a physiatrist can determine what’s causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan based on your needs.
Axion Spine & Neurosurgery provides nonsurgical treatment for patellar tendinopathy and other causes of knee pain in Atlanta. Schedule an appointment to find out what’s causing your knee pain and which treatment options may be right for you.
Patellar Tendinopathy FAQs
1. How long does patellar tendinopathy take to heal?
Recovery time varies, but tendon problems often improve over weeks or months rather than days. How long it takes depends on how severe the condition is, how long you’ve had symptoms, and how your knee responds to treatment.
Feeling better doesn’t necessarily mean the tendon is ready for your previous activity level. Your doctor can guide you on when and how to return to more demanding exercise.
2. Is patellar tendinopathy the same as jumper’s knee?
Yes. Jumper’s knee is a common name for patellar tendinopathy. The nickname comes from its connection to sports that involve frequent jumping and landing, but you can develop the condition even if you don’t play a jumping sport.
3. Can patellar tendinopathy come back?
It can. Symptoms may return if you increase your activity too quickly or the tendon isn’t ready for the amount of stress being placed on it. Following your rehabilitation plan and gradually returning to demanding activities may reduce the chance of symptoms returning.
