Patellar Tendonitis Treatment

About This Treatment

Patellar tendonitis treatment typically includes a combination of conservative treatments, including rest, ice, medication and bracing. However, severe or chronic cases of patellar tendonitis may require surgery to prevent a tendon tear.

The knee surgeons at Franciscan Health specialize in a minimally invasive procedure called patellar tendon repair. During this arthroscopic surgery, your surgeon debrides (cleans) the damaged area of the tendon from inside the joint and then uses a small incision to remove the injured outer part of the tendon. Most patients recover from this outpatient patellar tendon surgery in three to four months.

What is patellar tendonitis?

The patellar tendon connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). Patellar tendonitis, or jumper's knee, occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed.

Patellar tendonitis causes

Patellar tendonitis can be the result of excessive stress on the knee caused by running and jumping when playing sports like track, basketball and volleyball. It can also develop from chronic conditions that reduce blood flow and weaken the knee, such as:

• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Patellar tendonitis diagnosis

Specialists at Franciscan Health use imaging procedures like MRI and X-ray to diagnose patellar tendonitis.

Patellar tendonitis symptoms

Symptoms of patellar tendonitis may include:

• Dislocated kneecap
• Pain when jumping, running, walking or flexing your knee
• Swelling and pain near your kneecap