Jumpers Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)
What Is Jumpers Knee?
The technical name for Jumpers Knee is patellar tendonitis which means damage to the patellar tendon underneath the kneecap. This tendon comes from the kneecap and attaches onto the top of the shin bone so it absorbs a lot of force with any movement that involves weight bearing through the leg and bending the knee. One such movement is jumping, so with repeated jumping the tendon can become fatigued and damaged causing knee pain, which is why it is known as jumpers knee. Having said that it is not only people that jump that we see with this at The Physiotherapy Place, we also see this issue in runners, cyclists, walkers, and various other sportspeople.
What Causes Jumpers Knee?
When the patellar tendon becomes overloaded then micro-damage to the fibres within the tendon occurs, eventually leading to the tendon becoming damaged, stiff and sore. Some factors that can cause this overload include:
excessive strain on the tendon from an increase in jumping or running activities
inadequate rest time between exercise sessions
poor technique when running or jumping
muscle weakness or tightness in the affected leg
faulty biomechanics e.g. flat feet
Is Patellar Tendinitis Serious?
It is in the sense that it can put you out of action for a while if you are a sportsperson. It is generally an injury that happens to very active people and it is one that requires a certain degree of rest in order to heal and recover. If the tendon continues to get overloaded the problem is likely to worsen and in the worst case scenario the tendon could end up rupturing and needing surgical repair.
How Long Does It Take For Jumpers Knee To Heal?
This will depend on the degree of damage to the tendon but typically once the correct treatment has started a period of 2-3 months will allow good tissue healing and strengthening. Even if the tendon hasn’t fully healed by this stage, it should be ready to do some higher impact activity again. In some mild cases, sport can be continued whilst the tendon is being treated and it can be managed carefully without it worsening, but in more severe cases the tendon will need complete rest and could take as long as 6-9 months to fully heal.
Does Patellar Tendon Pain Go Away?
Yes it does. Most soft tissues injuries have the capacity to heal so the patellar tendon is no different. For it go away though, the conditions need to be right so that the tendon fibres can repair and strengthen.
How Do You Treat Patellar Tendinitis?
There are several treatment techniques required for optimal healing of the tendon:
in the initial stages it is important to identify and eradicate anything that is causing the tendon to be overloaded
at the same time work can begin to stimulate tendon repair such as deep friction massage, stretching, and ultrasound
depending on how damaged the tendon is, it is good to begin some active rehab as soon as is safe. Low impact exercises such as swimming and cycling, and strengthening the surrounding muscles of the leg can start as soon as pain allows
focussed strengthening of the patellar tendon itself is crucial but should only be started at the appropriate time
What Will A Physiotherapist Do?
A physio will diagnose the injury and what has caused it to happen. These factors can then be immediately corrected and hands on treatment can begin. If you need to continue participating in your sport then a physio will guide you as to the safest way to do this without causing further injury. A specific exercise program geared towards your individual needs will be written up for you and progressed accordingly.