Patella Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Patella Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee) Where did the name come from?

First used in 1973 to describe where the tendon attaches to the bone and refers to functional stress, overloading of the quadriceps. Often form sports that require Jumping.

The term “jumper’s knee” was first coined in 1973 to describe a condition affecting the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia).

This name was chosen to reflect the common occurrence of the condition in athletes participating in sports that involve frequent jumping. The term specifically refers to the area where the tendon attaches to the bone and highlights the functional stress and overloading that occurs due to repetitive jumping movements.

The use of the term “jumper’s knee” quickly gained traction in the medical community as it aptly described the primary mechanism of injury and the population most affected by this condition. Since its introduction, the term has become widely accepted and used interchangeably with patellar tendonitis or patellar tendinopathy in both clinical and research settings.

Jumper’s knee is one of the more common tendinopathies affecting athletes with mature skeletons.

Jumper’s Knee occurs in as many as 20% of jumping athletes.

With regard to bilateral tendinopathy (both sides), males and females are equally affected. With regard to unilateral tendinopathy (one side), twice as many males as females are affected.

Jumper’s knee is believed to be caused by repetitive stress placed on the patellar or quadriceps tendon during jumping. It is an injury specific to athletes, particularly those participating in jumping sports such as:

Basketball
Volleyball
High or Long jumping

Jumper’s knee is occasionally found in soccer players, and in rare cases, it may be seen in athletes in non-jumping sports such as weight lifting and cycling.

Risk factors include gender, greater body weight, being bow-legged or knock-kneed, having an increased angle of the knee, having an abnormally high kneecap or an abnormally low kneecap, and limb-length inequality.

Linked to jumper’s knee are poor quadricep and hamstring strength. Vertical jump ability, as well as jumping and landing technique, are believed to influence tendon loading.

In sports like basketball and volleyball, athletes perform numerous jumps during practices and competitions. Each jump involves a rapid eccentric contraction of the quadriceps muscle as the athlete lands, followed by a powerful concentric contraction to propel the body upward. This repetitive loading and unloading of the patellar tendon can lead to cumulative microtrauma, especially when proper technique and adequate rest are not maintained.

Knee Brace for Jumper’s Knee

Wearing a knee brace for Jumper’s Knee will help apply pressure on the patellar tendon to help reduce pain. A knee strap or band will help absorb force on the knee and can help give you the support you need while you stay active.