Patellar Tendinopathy Physiotherapy
Patellar tendinopathy, often referred to as jumper’s knee, commonly presents as pain just below the kneecap. Symptoms may become more noticeable during jumping, landing, running, squatting or stair use. In some cases, discomfort is less noticeable at the start of activity but becomes clearer as jumping, running or training load increases.
If the discomfort is more broadly focused around the front of the knee rather than mainly below the kneecap, particularly during running, stairs, squatting or after prolonged sitting, you may also refer to [Runner’s Knee Physiotherapy].
Common symptoms
- Localised pain or tenderness just below the kneecap
- Symptoms that are more noticeable during jumping, landing or running
- Pain below the front of the knee during squatting or stair use
- Symptoms becoming more noticeable after increases in training load
- Soreness around the patellar tendon after exercise or the following day
How physiotherapy assesses
Physiotherapy usually begins by looking at whether the pain is mainly focused around the patellar tendon, which activities provoke it most clearly, and whether running, jumping or training load has changed recently. Where appropriate, knee movement, quadriceps and lower-limb strength, single-leg loading, squat and landing control, and hip-knee-ankle function may also be assessed to understand current loading tolerance and rehabilitation needs.
How physiotherapy may help
Physiotherapy may include activity modification, lower-limb strengthening and movement-control exercises according to symptom response, tendon loading tolerance and activity needs. Rehabilitation can then progress gradually towards squatting, running, jumping and landing tasks, with progression adjusted according to symptoms and individual sport or activity goals.
Related Conditions
Runner’s Knee
Knee Pain
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Not sure whether your condition falls into this category?
You may first arrange a physiotherapy assessment to understand the more suitable management approach according to your symptoms, activity needs, and rehabilitation goals.