Patellar tendonitis ("Jumper's knee")

Patellar tendonitis ("Jumper's knee") - this is a condition involving inflammation or degeneration of the tendon which attaches the kneecap to the top of the leg bone.

This is an overuse condition typically seen in athletes that do a lot of jumping, running, or squatting. Signs/symptoms include pain below the kneecap, pain with squatting, pain with running, or pain with jumping.

Treatment

Treatment is conservative or no surgical and includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, bracing, rest, and activity modification.

Surgery

Surgery is reserved for the most severe cases that do not respond to conservative treatment and involves removing the damaged tissue to improve blood flow and stimulate new healing tissue.