Patellar Tendonitis: Pain Below the Kneecap
We all have occasional aches and pains, but pain below the kneecap usually indicates a larger problem.
Patellar tendonitis, sometimes referred to as “jumper’s knee,” is an injury in the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to your shinbone. When this tendon is overused, tiny tears appear, causing pain below the kneecap and, sometimes, behind your knee.
What Causes Pain Behind the Knee?
Typically, patellar tendonitis is a sports-related injury. Injuries to the patellar tendon occur with overuse and are linked with sports that involve frequent jumping on hard surfaces. In fact, an estimated 40-50 percent of professional volleyball players are diagnosed with patellar tendonitis at some point in their careers.
Other factors that contribute to jumper’s knee include:
Tight leg muscles
Misalignment in the legs, ankles, and feet
Improper shoe padding
Unequal leg strength
Long periods of intense training
Many athletes report pain and tenderness below the kneecap as the first symptom of patellar tendonitis. Others report swelling or a burning feeling in the kneecap. These symptoms initially appear sporadically, mainly after periods of exercise or activity. However, as the tendon becomes more damaged, the pain can worsen to the point where it impacts daily movements.
Treatments for Patellar Tendonitis
Treatment for patellar tendonitis depends on its severity. If it’s diagnosed by an orthopaedic physician early enough, conservative methods are usually effective. These non-surgical measures include:
Period of controlled rest
Non-prescription drugs to reduce pain and inflammation
Ice and elevation
Exercises to stretch and strengthen the leg muscle
Physical therapy
If the pain below the kneecap is severe (even during periods of rest), Dr. Sterett may advise wearing a knee brace and using crutches to avoid additional damage to the tendon.
When conservative measures aren’t effective in treating patellar tendonitis, Dr. Sterett and his team may recommend alternative treatments such as:
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections: A concentration of platelets from the patient’s blood is injected into the tendon to promote healing.
Dry-Needling: A “dry” needle (meaning a needle without medication) is passed into the tendon multiple times to jumpstart the healing process.
After all alternative treatments have failed to relieve pain (or if you’ve progressed to the more serious patellar tendinopathy), surgery is the next step in repairing a patellar tendon and treating jumper’s knee.
When to See a Doctor About Pain Below the Kneecap
If left untreated, patellar tendonitis can be career-ending for professional athletes. It’s important to listen to your body’s warning signs and never “work through the pain.”
Contact Dr. Sterett and his team today if you are experiencing pain below the kneecap - especially if that pain worsens, is accompanied by swelling, or interferes with your daily life. Let’s treat this condition early so you can get back to doing the activities you love.
