Patellar Tendinopathy

What is Patellar Tendinopathy?

Patellar tendinopathy, commonly known as "jumper's knee," is a condition affecting the patellar tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). This condition involves degeneration and thickening of the tendon fibres due to repetitive loading, particularly from jumping and landing activities.

Unlike acute injuries, patellar tendinopathy develops gradually and represents a breakdown in the tendon's normal structure rather than simple inflammation. The condition is most common in sports involving frequent jumping, but can also affect runners and other athletes who place repetitive stress on the knee extensor mechanism.

What Causes Patellar Tendinopathy?

Patellar tendinopathy typically develops through repetitive overloading and contributing factors:

Activity-related factors:

  • Frequent jumping and landing activities (basketball, volleyball, netball)

  • Repetitive running, particularly with sudden increases in volume or intensity

  • Sports involving rapid acceleration and deceleration

  • Plyometric training with excessive volume or poor progression

  • Training on hard surfaces without adequate recovery

Biomechanical factors:

  • Poor landing mechanics with excessive knee valgus (inward collapse)

  • Weak hip and glute muscles affecting knee control

  • Tight quadriceps, hamstrings, or calf muscles

  • Poor ankle mobility affecting landing patterns

  • Altered movement patterns from previous injuries

Training factors:

  • Sudden increases in training load or intensity

  • Inadequate recovery between high-intensity sessions

  • Poor periodisation of jumping or plyometric activities

  • Returning to sport too quickly after a break

  • Insufficient strength training to support tendon capacity

Individual risk factors:

  • Male athletes (higher prevalence in jumping sports)

  • Age-related changes in tendon properties (typically 20-40 years)

  • Previous patellar tendon injuries

  • Body weight and height affecting tendon loading

  • Genetic factors influencing tendon structure

What Are the Symptoms?

Patellar tendinopathy presents with characteristic pain patterns:

Primary symptoms:

  • Localised pain at the bottom of the kneecap (inferior pole of patella)

  • Pain that worsens with jumping, landing, or running activities

  • Morning stiffness that improves with gentle movement

  • Tenderness when pressing directly on the patellar tendon

Activity-related symptoms:

  • Pain during or after jumping sports that may force you to stop

  • Discomfort when climbing or descending stairs

  • Pain with squatting or lunging movements

  • Stiffness after periods of rest or sitting

  • Reduced jumping power and performance

Progressive symptoms:

  • Gradual onset over weeks or months

  • Initially pain only during or after activity

  • May progress to pain during daily activities like walking

  • Thickening or swelling of the patellar tendon

  • Reduced knee extension strength

Functional limitations:

  • Decreased jumping height and reactive strength

  • Reduced performance in sports requiring explosive leg power

  • Difficulty with activities involving knee loading

  • Compensatory movement patterns affecting hip and ankle

  • Reduced confidence during jumping and landing activities

Severity stages:

  • Stage 1: Pain only after activity, no functional impairment

  • Stage 2: Pain during and after activity, able to perform at satisfactory level

  • Stage 3: Prolonged pain during and after activity, increasing difficulty performing

  • Stage 4: Complete tendon rupture requiring surgical intervention

Struggling with knee pain from jumping or running activities? Our specialist team has extensive experience treating patellar tendinopathy in athletes across all levels and sports. We use advanced testing including our Jump Lab to objectively measure jump height, reactive strength score, and peak force, allowing us to track your progress and create targeted rehabilitation programmes for optimal tendon recovery and performance enhancement.