Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) – Symptoms & Treatment in Bromley

Key Points

• Patellar tendinopathy, often called jumper’s knee, is pain in the tendon just below the kneecap.

• It’s caused by repeated stress, overuse, or poor biomechanics.

• Symptoms include pain when jumping, running, or climbing stairs.

• At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, we offer osteopathic care, ultrasound imaging, blood tests, and rehab programmes to get you back to sport and daily activity.

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What is Patellar Tendinopathy?

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). It helps you straighten your knee for running, jumping, and kicking.

With repeated stress or overload, the tendon develops microtears and degenerative changes. This leads to patellar tendinopathy, sometimes called jumper’s knee. It is especially common in sports involving frequent jumping (basketball, volleyball), running, and weight training.

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Symptoms of Patellar Tendinopathy

• Pain below the kneecap (front of knee)

• Tenderness when pressing on the tendon

• Pain during or after jumping, running, or climbing stairs

• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest

• Weakness when squatting or lunging

• Reduced performance in sport due to knee pain

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Causes & Risk Factors

• Repeated jumping or sprinting sports (football, basketball, athletics)

• Overuse or sudden increase in training load

• Poor biomechanics (flat feet, knock knees, weak hips/glutes)

• Tight quadriceps or hamstrings

• Training on hard surfaces

• Metabolic health issues (diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid imbalance)

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Diagnosis of Patellar Tendinopathy

At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, diagnosis includes:

• Osteopathic examination – functional tests, palpation, strength checks

• Ultrasound imaging – excellent for detecting tendon thickening, microtears, and degeneration

• Blood tests – to check for metabolic and systemic contributors such as diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid problems, or vitamin D deficiency, which may slow tendon healing

• Referral for MRI if complex tendon damage or other knee pathology is suspected

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Self-Help for Patellar Tendinopathy

• Reduce or modify painful activities (e.g. jumping, hill running)

• Use ice packs post-activity if the tendon feels sore

• Gentle stretching of quads and hamstrings

• Bodyweight strengthening (step-ups, slow squats) to keep muscles active

• Wear supportive footwear for sport

• Avoid sudden changes in training load

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Treatment Options at Bromley Sports Injury Clinic

✅ Osteopathic treatment – manual therapy to improve knee mechanics and reduce overload

✅ Exercise rehabilitation – eccentric loading programmes to restore tendon strength and resilience

✅ Sports massage – reducing muscle tension in quadriceps and hamstrings

✅ Ultrasound imaging – for diagnosis and monitoring tendon changes

✅ Blood testing & metabolic review – ensuring systemic health supports tendon repair

✅ Referral if required – to sports physicians for advanced therapies if tendon degeneration is severe

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Prevention

• Warm up and stretch before sport

• Progress training loads gradually

• Strengthen quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips

• Maintain good footwear and training surfaces

• Address systemic health (weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, vitamin D)

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FAQs – Patellar Tendinopathy

Q: Is patellar tendinopathy the same as jumper’s knee?
Yes. The terms are often used interchangeably.

Q: How long does it take to recover?
Most people improve in 8–12 weeks with structured rehab, though chronic cases may take longer.

Q: Can ultrasound help?
Yes. It can detect tendon thickening, microtears, and help guide treatment planning.

Q: Why are blood tests relevant?
They can reveal underlying health issues (e.g. diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid) that may slow tendon healing.

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Book Your Appointment

Don’t let jumper’s knee stop you. Book your Patellar Tendinopathy assessment in Bromley today and get back to pain-free performance.

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📍 Bromley Sports Injury Clinic | Same-week appointments available