Patella Tendonitis Treated at Mercy Medical Center

Patella tendonitis (or tendinitis), commonly called jumper’s knee, is inflammation of the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shin bone. Patella tendonitis is an overuse injury. Repeated stress on the tendon causes tears to develop. Patella tendonitis is seen in high level athletes such as marathon runners and soccer players but even more so in poorly conditioned individuals who have started an exercise program too vigorously. 

The main patella tendonitis symptom is pain that occurs at the bottom of the kneecap where the patella tendon attaches to it. The pain can be present when starting physical activity or exercise and progress into severe pain that interferes with daily activities such as climbing stairs.

A patella tendonitis diagnosis can be made during a physical exam of the knee. X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds may be conducted to locate tears in the tendon and rule out other knee conditions.

Patella tendonitis treatment options include:

• Rest
• Ice
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Braces
• Physical therapy to include an aggressive stretching program and cross-training to avoid overuse syndromes
• Corticosteroid injections

Surgery is rarely a treatment option for patella tendonitis but may be considered when non-surgical treatment options are not relieving the knee pain.