Patellar Tendonitis

If you have patellar tendonitis – or jumper’s knee – tiny tears exist in the tendon that links your kneecap to your shinbone. These injuries inflame your patellar tendon, causing pain.

When you need relief, trust the knee specialists at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital. You’ll benefit from experts who have successfully treated thousands of cases of patellar tendonitis – and know how to help you get active again.

Symptoms of Patellar Tendonitis

You’re most likely to experience signs of patellar tendonitis if you play basketball, volleyball or another sport in which you often jump. Tight, inflexible leg muscles can also lead to patellar tendonitis symptoms such as:

• Aching in the front of your leg, just below your kneecap
• Discomfort as you bend or straighten your knee
• Pain that worsens with activity

To diagnose your condition, your physician at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital may gently press your knee in different places to determine the precise area that’s causing pain. Your doctor may also recommend an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help assess the extent of your injury.

Treating Patellar Tendonitis

Help ease pain from patellar tendonitis by:

• Avoiding running, jumping and other activities that stress your knee
• Getting massages to ease tight muscles around your knee
• Participating in knee therapy and rehabilitation to strengthen your leg muscles and increase your flexibility
• Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen

Patellar Tendonitis Surgery

If you don’t find pain relief after several months of conservative treatments, you may benefit from surgery to repair or remove damaged parts of your patellar tendon. A skilled, experienced surgeon at Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital will recommend the best procedure for your needs and lifestyle goals.