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Patellar tendonitis is a knee injury characterized by inflammation of the patellar tendon and overuse.
The patella is the kneecap. The patellar tendon is located at the front of the knee between the kneecap (patella) and shinbone (tibia) and allows your child to straighten their knee so they can run or jump. When this tendon becomes inflamed, it is called patellar tendonitis. You might also hear it referred to as “jumper’s knee.”
Patellar tendonitis, also called jumper’s knee, is inflammation in the band of tissue (the patellar tendon) that connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia).
The most common activity causing patellar tendonitis is too much jumping. Other repeated activities such as running, walking, or bicycling may lead to patellar tendonitis. All of these activities put repeated stress on the patellar tendon, causing it to be inflamed. Patellar tendonitis can also happen to people who have problems with the way their hips, legs, knees, or feet are aligned. This alignment problem can result from having wide hips, being knock-kneed, or having feet with arches that collapse when you walk or run, a condition called overpronation. The patellar tendon may sometimes tear completely, or rupture, during strenuous activity.
Symptoms may include:
If your patellar tendon is ruptured, usually you will have sudden severe pain and you will be unable to straighten your leg or walk.
Your health care provider will examine your knee to see if you have tenderness at the patellar tendon. He or she will also have you run, jump, or squat to see if this causes pain. Your feet will be examined to see if you have a problem with overpronation. Your provider may order x-rays or an MRI of your knee.
Treatment may include:
If your patellar tendon is ruptured, you will need surgery right away to repair it. If you have a lot of scar tissue in or around your tendon causing pain you may need surgery to remove it. You will be given rehabilitation exercises to help you return to your sport or activity. While you are recovering from your injury you will need to change your sport or activity to one that does not make your condition worse. For example, you may need to swim instead of play basketball.
The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to longer healing times. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your sport or activity will be determined by how soon your knee recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:
Patellar tendonitis is usually caused by overuse during activities such as jumping or running or biking uphill. It can best be prevented by having strong thigh muscle
The following may also help prevent injury:
Knowing When to Seek Care for Your Child: A Guide from LuskinOIC
As a parent, your top priority is keeping your child safe and healthy. But when your child is sick or injured, it can be hard to know what level of care they need. Should you call your pediatrician, visit urgent care, or head straight to the emergency department?
For non-emergencies, your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric urgent care center is often the best place to start. If your child’s doctor isn’t available—such as during evenings or weekends—urgent care can provide fast, effective treatment. Contact your pediatrician or visit urgent care if your child has:
You may also have access to virtual urgent care for non-emergency issues, allowing your child to be seen by a provider from home. Check if pediatric virtual urgent care services are available in your area.
If your child is seriously injured or ill—especially if the condition may be life-threatening or needs immediate attention—take them to the emergency department (ED). Seek emergency care if your child:
Your child’s health matters. When in doubt, trust your instincts—and don’t hesitate to seek care. LuskinOIC is here to support your family with trusted pediatric expertise every step of the way.