Does strength training rehabilitation treat patellar tendinitis?

Patellar tendinitis, also called jumper’s knee or patellar tendinopathy, affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone. Pain is often felt below the kneecap and may increase with jumping, squatting, stairs or repeated knee bending. Rehabilitation uses a planned loading progression rather than complete rest for an extended period. Early exercises may be static contractions or slow, partial-range movements. Later stages can add heavier strengthening, faster movements and sport-specific drills when the tendon and knee are ready. Recovery is influenced by training volume, sleep, footwear, technique and other knee problems.

Have the knee assessed if the diagnosis is uncertain or pain began suddenly. A therapist can help set an acceptable exercise response and adjust jumping, running or deep squats while strength returns. Perform the prescribed exercises consistently, using slow control and the agreed range. Increase only one training demand at a time, such as resistance, repetitions, speed or frequency. A short-lived increase in discomfort may be monitored when your clinician has approved it, but worsening pain the next day or reduced function calls for a load adjustment.

Seek urgent care for a sudden popping injury with inability to straighten the knee, marked swelling, a visible gap near the kneecap or inability to bear weight. Arrange review for increasing pain, night pain, redness, warmth, fever or symptoms that are not improving with the planned progression. These signs can indicate a different or more serious problem.

Which loading stage matches my current symptoms?

How should I modify running, jumping and stair use?

What response the next day means the exercise load is too high?