Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Jumper’s knee, also known as patellar tendonitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of your patellar tendon. This connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). Jumper’s knee weakens your tendon, and, if untreated, can lead to tears in your tendon.

Risk Factors

Jumper’s knee is caused by overuse of your knee joint, such as frequent jumping on hard surfaces.

It’s usually a sports-related injury, linked to leg muscle contraction and the force of hitting the ground. This strains your tendon. With repeated stress, your tendon may become inflamed.

Treatments

The best treatment for jumper’s knee is to stop any activity that’s causing the problem until the injury is healed. Other treatment may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Rest
• Elevating your knee
• Ice packs to your knee to help reduce swelling
• Stretching and strengthening exercises