Jumper’s Knee Treatment
When you bend or extend your knees, many muscles and tendons are at work. One of the workhorses of knee function is the patella tendon which connects the kneecap to the tibia (shinbone). Jumping puts extra stress on the patella tendon – repetitive jumping can cause inflammation or tendonitis in the tendon, a condition referred to as jumper’s knee. At Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center, we provide jumper’s knee treatment at our Miami, FL, clinic.
Symptoms of Patella Tendonitis
The action of jumping and landing can put extra stress on the patella tendon. Athletes that are constantly jumping, especially on hard surfaces, can experience patella tendonitis or jumper’s knee. Basketball and football players, as well as other athletes, can experience inflammation in the shin area when this tendon is overused. Some of the symptoms of jumper’s knee include:
- Pain below the kneecap when bending or extending the leg
- Knee pain when running or jumping
- Swelling below the kneecap on the shin
- Tenderness around the lower kneecap
Most cases of patella tendonitis are mild to moderate, which can be treated with conservative therapies. Anti-inflammatory medications can relieve swelling and pain – when combined with rest and ice, most players can begin feeling relief from their injury in a week or two. However, if there is more severe damage to the tendon such as tears, players may require more extensive treatments, including tendon repair surgery.
Athletes that experience symptoms of jumper’s knee should seek treatment to avoid further damage to their patella tendon. Continuous inflammation can weaken the tendon, increasing the risk of damage to the tissue. Dr. Glashow and his team can provide a treatment plan to relieve inflammation and strengthen the patella tendon to get athletes back in the game.
If you have symptoms of jumper’s knee, treatment is available in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami, FL, area. Jonathan L. Glashow, MD orthopedic surgery and sports injury center can provide patella tendonitis treatment and rehabilitation. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment with one of our knee specialists.
