Patella Tendinopathy/Jumper’s Knee

  • Also known as patellar tendinopathy → anterior knee pain (pain in front of the knee cap), located directly below patella (similar location as SLJS)

  • Tendinopathy (pain at the tendon) occurs when your tissues are not conditioned to handle the load or volume of movement 

    • Can also be due to overuse or doing more than you normally would in a short period of time

  • Typically occur in ages 15-30, most commonly in men

  • Common in sports such as basketball, volleyball, athletic jump events, tennis and football that require repetitive loading of patella tendon

    • Also can occur with squatting, lunging, running, hiking downhill or walkings down stairs

  • Signs/symptoms:

    • Pain with bending or extending the knee

    • Pain between the bottom of the kneecap and spot where the patellar tendon attaches to the front of the shin (tibial tuberosity)

    • Pain above the kneecap, swelling

    • Pain is typically sharp, may ache or throb at rest following aggravating activities