Jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy) – causes, symptoms and relief for the patellar tendon
Jumper's knee, patellar tendinopathy, is a sports injury that often affects people who practice explosive sports such as volleyball, basketball, football and track and field. The injury is caused by overloading the patellar tendon's attachment at the lower edge of the kneecap and leads to inflammation and pain. A relieving knee pad in combination with rehabilitation training can be effective in relieving the discomfort.
What is jumper's knee?
Jumper's knee is a rupture of the patellar tendon at the kneecap's attachment. This rupture leads to local bleeding and inflammation, which causes pain over the lower edge of the kneecap (apex patella). The condition is common with repeated jumping and explosive movements, where the anterior thigh muscle is intensely activated.
Common causes & risk factors
Jumper's knee often develops due to repeated and heavy loads from jumping and landing. Sports such as volleyball, basketball and track and field pose a high risk, but football and weightlifting can also trigger the problem. Lack of recovery, over-training or muscular imbalance between the front and back of the thigh also increases the risk of jumper's knee.
Symptoms
- Pain at the lower edge of the kneecap, often evident when pressed
- Stiffness and increased pain with activity, especially when jumping, climbing stairs, or running uphill
- Pain and stiffness after activity or sitting still
- Sometimes, startup problems occur after rest or sleep
When should you seek medical attention?
If the pain persists despite rest and self-care or if it worsens with activity, you should contact a physiotherapist or doctor for examination and an individual treatment program.
Recommended protection & support
Special knee braces are placed under the lower edge of the kneecap to relieve the tendon attachment. They provide pain relief during activity and make it possible to train with less discomfort. In combination with stretching of the front and back of the thigh and adapted rehabilitation training, the pads can speed up recovery and reduce the risk of long-term problems. See all our products for the knee and knee joint here.
About our Injury Guide – quick guidance in case of complaints
In our Injury Guide, you will receive clear and easy-to-understand information about common injuries, how they occur and what symptoms usually occur. You will also receive recommendations on which protection and aids can relieve your discomfort and help you further in your rehabilitation. All information is based on expert knowledge from our licensed physiotherapist.
For more information about the knee, you can read more in the Injury Guide Knee. You can also go to the Injury Guide main page to read about other injuries and symptoms.
Related injuries:
- Anterior cruciate ligament injury
- Meniscus injury
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFSS)
- Runner's knee
- Knee pain
Find the right protection for your needs
There are several ways to find the right product on our website. For a more personalized selection, you can use our filters and sort by injury, body part or sport. You can also get help from our AI assistant Eir, who is trained on all the content on our website and can help you with product recommendations, fit questions and order-related concerns – 24/7. If you would rather speak directly to our licensed physiotherapist, Ida, you can reach her via email or phone for personal advice and support in your product selection.
