Understanding Patella Tendinopathy

Patella tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, involves pain and inflammation in the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone. This condition commonly affects athletes who engage in sports that involve frequent jumping or running, such as basketball, volleyball, or such as our physio James’ favourite sport: Parkour! The repetitive stress on the patellar tendon can lead to tiny tears, causing pain and weakening the tendon over time.

How Physiotherapy Helps

Physiotherapy is essential for managing and treating patella tendinopathy, focusing on reducing pain, promoting healing, and preventing recurrence. Here’s how physiotherapy can help:

• Targeted Exercises: Our physiotherapists will design a personalized exercise program that includes strengthening and stretching exercises for the quadriceps and hamstrings. These exercises help to reduce the load on the patellar tendon and improve the overall function of the knee joint.

   

• Pain Relief: We utilize various pain management techniques such as massage, and dry needling. These methods help to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing of the damaged tendon.

   

• Activity Modification: Our physiotherapists will provide guidance on modifying your activities to reduce strain on the patellar tendon while maintaining your overall fitness. This might include altering your training routine or introducing low-impact exercises to your regimen.

   

• Progressive Loading: Gradual, controlled increase in exercise intensity helps to safely rebuild tendon strength and function. Eccentric exercises, which involve lengthening the tendon under load, are particularly effective in promoting tendon healing and resilience.