Patellar tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper's knee, is an overuse injury of the tendon that straightens the knee. Symptoms include pain in the front of the knee. Typically the pain and tenderness is at the lower part of the kneecap, though the upper part may also be affected. Generally there is no pain when the person is at rest. Complications may include patellar tendon rupture. Risk factors include being involved in athletics and being overweight. It is particularly common in athletes who are involved in jumping sports such as basketball and volleyball. The underlying mechanism involves small tears in the tendon connecting the kneecap with the shinbone. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and examination. Other conditions that can appear similar include infrapatellar bursitis, chondromalacia patella and patellofemoral syndrome. Treatment often involves resting the knee and physical therapy. Evidence for treatments, including rest, however is poor. Recovery can take months and persist over years. It is relatively common with about 14% of athletes currently affected; however research reflects that more than half of athletes with this injury end their careers as a result. Males are more commonly affected than females. The term "jumper's knee" was coined in 1973. People report anterior knee pain, often with an aching quality. The symptom onset is insidious. Rarely is a discrete injury described. Usually, the problem is below the kneecap but it may also be above. Jumper's knee can be classified into 1 of 4 stages, as follows: Stage 1: Pain only after activity, without functional impairment Stage 2: Pain during and after activity, although the person is still able to perform satisfactorily in his or her sport Stage 3: Prolonged pain during and after activity, with increasing difficulty in performing at a satisfactory level Stage 4: Complete tendon tear requiring surgical repair It begins as inflammation in the patellar tendon where it attaches to the patella and may progress by tearing or degenerating the tendon.