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Patellar/Quadriceps Tendinopathy, Sports Medicine

Sean T. Bryan, MD, FAAFP, CAQSM and Isaac P. Syrop, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Overuse syndrome of the patellar and/or quadriceps tendons/knee extensor mechanism complex

  • Anterior knee pain worsened by activity such as jumping or running

  • Also termed “jumper’s knee...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Anterior knee pain exacerbated by activity or by prolonged knee flexion

  • Participation in a sport with excessive jumping

  • A progressive condition of anterior knee pain (Blazina classifica...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Conservative measures typically include relative rest (reduction in amount or intensity of training to achieve pain-free state), ice, acetaminophen, and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflam...

ONGOING CARE

Corticosteroid injections into the patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon should be avoided due to the theoretical increased risk of tendon rupture. 

REFERENCES

1
Bahr R, Fossan B, Løken S, et al. Surgical treatment compared with eccentric training for patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee). A randomized, controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am.  ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Everhart JS, Cole D, Sojka JH, et al. Treatment options for patellar tendinopathy: a systematic review. Arthroscopy.  2017;33(4):861–872.

  • Schwartz A, Watson JN, Hutchinson MR. P...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Patellar/quadriceps tendinopathy remains a clinical diagnosis, and the mainstay of treatment is strengthening of the quadriceps muscles via one-legged squats emphasizing the eccentric ...

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