What are the symptoms and causes of patellar tendencies?

Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper's knee, is an injury to the tendon connecting your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone. This tendon works with the muscles at the front of your thigh to extend your knee so you can kick, run, and jump. Here are the symptoms and causes:

Symptoms

• Pain and Tenderness: Pain usually located between your kneecap and where the tendon attaches to your shinbone. The pain might initially be present only during physical activity or after an intense workout.

• Swelling: There might be swelling in the area around the patellar tendon.

• Stiffness: The knee may feel stiff and the tendon might be tight, especially after periods of inactivity.

• Weakness: You might feel weakness or an inability to perform activities that involve jumping, squatting, or running.

• Worsening Pain: Pain can progressively worsen, eventually interfering with daily movements such as climbing stairs or getting up from a seated position.

Causes

• Overuse: Repetitive stress on the patellar tendon from activities that involve jumping, running, or other high-impact activities. Athletes in sports like basketball, volleyball, and track and field are particularly prone.

• Muscle Imbalance: An imbalance between the quadriceps and hamstring muscles can put extra strain on the patellar tendon.

• Improper Technique: Poor technique in sports or exercises can increase stress on the tendon.

• Sudden Increase in Activity: A sudden increase in the intensity or frequency of physical activity can strain the tendon.

• Tight Leg Muscles: Tightness in the muscles surrounding the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, can contribute to increased tendon strain.

• Footwear: Inadequate or worn-out footwear that does not provide proper support can lead to patellar tendinitis.

• Surface: Training or playing on hard surfaces can increase stress on the knees and the patellar tendon.

Treatment

• Rest and Activity Modification: Reducing or stopping activities that aggravate the condition.

• Ice: Applying ice to reduce pain and swelling.

• Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility.

• Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation.

• Braces or Straps: Using knee braces or patellar tendon straps to support the tendon.

• Gradual Return to Activity: Slowly resuming physical activities, paying attention to proper techniques.

• Shockwave Therapy: In some cases, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) might be recommended.

• Surgery: In severe or chronic cases that do not respond to conservative treatments, surgical intervention might be necessary to repair the tendon.

Early recognition and treatment of patellar tendinitis are crucial to prevent the condition from becoming chronic and more difficult to treat.