About patellar tendinopathy
The patellar tendon connects the bottom of the kneecap to the shin bone. It works like a spring every time you jump, land, squat, or climb. Patellar tendinopathy develops when the tendon takes on more load than it can adapt to, and its structure starts to change.
The condition is common in basketball, volleyball, and running, but it also shows up in people who recently increased squats, lunges, or hill work. It is often called patellar tendinitis, although the problem is usually more about tendon overload and breakdown than inflammation.
Tendons respond well to the right amount of load. Complete rest tends to leave the tendon weaker, so treatment focuses on calming pain while gradually building the tendon's capacity to handle the sport or activity you want to get back to.
Common symptoms
- Pain at the bottom edge of the kneecap, often pinpointed with one finger
- Pain with jumping, landing, squatting, or going down stairs
- Pain that warms up during activity and returns afterward or the next morning
- Stiffness at the front of the knee after sitting
- Tenderness or thickening along the tendon
Common causes and risk factors
- A sudden increase in jumping, running, or training volume
- Frequent jumping and landing sports
- Weakness or poor endurance in the quadriceps, hip, and calf muscles
- Limited ankle or hip mobility that shifts more load to the knee
- Not enough recovery between hard sessions
How we diagnose it
Our physicians confirm patellar tendinopathy with a focused exam and diagnostic ultrasound at the exam table. Ultrasound shows the tendon's thickness, areas of damaged tissue, small partial tears, and new blood vessel growth, and it helps rule out other causes of front-of-knee pain. This picture guides how aggressive treatment needs to be.
How Propel treats patellar tendinopathy
We start with a progressive tendon loading program that moves from holds to slow, heavy strength work and then back to jumping and sport. We adjust training rather than stopping it and pay attention to recovery, sleep, and nutrition. Most people improve with this approach alone.
When pain lingers despite good rehab, ultrasound-guided PRP can support tendon healing. Tendon scraping frees the tendon from irritated tissue and small nerves around it, and Dr. Gruner performs percutaneous tenotomy (Tenex), which removes damaged tendon tissue so healthy tissue can regenerate. For stubborn pain, Dr. Chen offers ultrasound-guided nerve ablation of the small pain nerves.
What to expect at your visit
- 1.
We listen first
Your visit opens with a real conversation: how the problem started, what you have already tried, and the activity you want back.
- 2.
Exam and in-office ultrasound
A hands-on exam, then ultrasound at the exam table, often while you move, so your physician can see the tendon, joint, or nerve involved.
- 3.
A clear diagnosis and plan
You leave knowing what is wrong and what your options are, from strength-based rehab to procedures, and why we recommend each one.
- 4.
Treatment and follow-through
Most procedures happen here in the office. We coordinate with your physical therapist and check progress against the goals you set.
Rehab protocols
Dr. Gruner's week-by-week recovery guidelines. Your plan is individualized; follow these with your physician and physical therapist.
Questions about patellar tendinopathy
- Should I stop playing sports if I have jumper's knee?
- Not always. Many athletes can keep playing with adjusted volume while they build tendon strength, as long as pain stays manageable and settles within a day. We help you find a level of activity that the tendon tolerates.
- Are steroid injections a good idea for patellar tendinopathy?
- Steroid injections into or around a load-bearing tendon like the patellar tendon can weaken it, so we generally avoid them. We prefer options that support tendon healing, such as a loading program, PRP, tendon scraping, or percutaneous tenotomy.
- How long does patellar tendinopathy take to get better?
- Tendons adapt slowly, so improvement is typically measured over weeks to months rather than days. Steady, progressive strength work is usually the most reliable path, and procedures are added when progress stalls.