(08) 7008 7566
(08) 7118 5399
physio@upplus.com.au
177 Trimmer Parade, Seaton SA 5023Patellar Tendinopathy
Patellar tendinopathy, often called jumper's knee, is pain in the tendon just below the kneecap. It is a loading problem, common in jumping and change-of-direction sports, and it has a characteristic pattern: it warms up during activity and hurts afterwards. Rest reduces the pain and does nothing for the tendon, which is why it comes straight back on return.
What causes it
- A sudden increase in jumping or change-of-direction volume
- Basketball, netball, volleyball and football in particular
- Weakness through the quadriceps and calf
- Hard surfaces and a rapid rise in training intensity
- Returning to full training after a break without a build-up
What you might notice
- Well-localised pain on the tendon just below the kneecap
- Pain that eases as you warm up and returns afterwards
- Discomfort on jumping, landing and decelerating
- Stiffness and soreness the morning after activity
- Tenderness to press directly on the tendon
How we treat it
- Isometric loading early for pain relief
- Progressive heavy slow resistance work, which is what remodels the tendon
- Managing training volume rather than stopping altogether
- Calf and hip strengthening to share the load
- Jumping and landing technique work
- Patience — tendons change over months, and rushing restarts the cycle
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment. If your pain followed a significant injury, is getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss, please see your GP.
Rest settles the pain and fixes nothing
Tendons need progressive load to change. Stopping for six weeks means starting the same cycle again on return. We build a loading plan around your season.
Or call us on (08) 7008 7566 — we see patients across Seaton, Modbury and Stepney.