By Marissa Garver, ATC
There are some conditions and injuries that correlate to certain sports, such as ACL tears in soccer or football players and skin infections in wrestlers. An injury common in basketball is patellar tendonitis, commonly called jumper’s knee.
Patellar tendonitis is the inflammation of the patellar tendon that connects the patella, or kneecap, to the tibial tuberosity (the bony projection below your kneecap).
When does it occur?
Patellar tendonitis occurs when the patellar tendon becomes inflamed causing pain and tenderness from repetitive eccentric knee extension activities. Two examples of eccentric knee extensions are jumping and running. However, excessive jumping is thought to be the main cause of the injury.
Signs and symptoms
The onset of patellar tendonitis generally begins with soreness and pain at the inferior pole, or bottom of the patella, after an intense workout, sport practice, or gaming event. Tenderness, pain, and slight swelling can occur at the tibial tuberosity (bony projection to which the patellar tendon attaches). Pain increases as the condition progresses, occurring before, during, and after activity. Pain can also be increased when walking up or down stairs. If the condition continues without treatment, calcifications can appear in the tendon. There are three grades to label the levels of pain in relation to patellar tendonitis:
- Grade 1: pain after sport activity
- Grade 2: pain during and after activity
- Grade 3: pain during activity and prolonged pain after the activity. The condition may progress to constant pain and result in a complete rupture.
Treatment and management
Initial treatment of patellar tendonitis involves reducing pain and inflammation in the knee. Treatments for the injury can include, but are not limited to ice, electrical stimulation, phonophoresis (ultrasound), iontophoresis (uses a galvanic current), or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Often, treatment includes ice and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, because they are convenient and are known to work.
To avoid injury, stretching and strengthening exercises should be performed prior to any activity. Stretching of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves should be performed on a daily basis. Strengthening exercises are used to prepare the body for regular activity. These exercises can include straight-leg raises in all directions, one-quarter squats, and progressive jumping. As the flexibility and strength returns close to normal, plyometric exercises can be added for more stability. Some athletes find that a patellar tendonitis brace, similar to counterforce braces used by tennis players helps to decrease pain and swelling. This brace fits just below the patella placing pressure on the tendon. Precaution prevents reinjuring a tendon or preventing an injury. Precautionary measures include stretching and regular strengthening exercises.
Athletes may return to play as soon as they can perform sport-specific exercises without pain. If available, the athlete should see their athletic trainer for evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Marissa Garver, ATC
Marissa Garver, ATC is a second year graduate student and recipient of the Hughston Athletic Training Fellowship. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Marissa is a founding member of North Georgia’s Athletic Training Education Honor Society, Iota Tau Alpha, and North Georgia’s Athletic Trainers’ Student Organization, where she served as president.
Marissa is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the Georgia Athletic Trainers Association (GATA), and the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA).
She is the Head Athletic Trainer at Brookstone School, Columbus, Georgia.
Provided by the Hughston Hospital, Columbus, GA
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