How is patellar tendinitis treated?

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone and transfers force when you straighten your knee. Treatment aims to calm an overloaded tendon without leaving the leg inactive. A clinician may check your movement, training pattern, strength, and the point of tenderness. Relative rest can mean pausing jumping, running, deep squats, or frequent stairs while keeping comfortable low-impact movement. Ice after activity may ease symptoms, and an appropriate pain medicine may be discussed if you can take it safely. Persistent symptoms may lead to options such as shockwave therapy or a PRP injection after an individual assessment.

Begin with a load that does not sharply increase pain during the exercise or leave a clear flare later that day. A physiotherapist can prescribe isometric exercises, then slow strengthening for the quadriceps and surrounding hip muscles. Progression may move from controlled knee extension to squats, step work, and eventually jumping or sport-specific drills. Strength training rehabilitation helps the tendon adapt gradually; the pace depends on symptoms and function. Warm up before demanding activity, increase training in small steps, and avoid testing the tendon with repeated maximal jumps while it is irritable.

Arrange an assessment if pain continues despite reducing the provoking activity, limits walking or stairs, or keeps returning when you resume sport. Seek prompt care after a sudden pop, marked swelling, bruising, or inability to straighten the knee or bear weight, because these features can indicate a more serious tendon injury. New warmth, redness, fever, or rapidly increasing swelling also needs timely medical attention.

Ask which activities to pause, what level of exercise discomfort is acceptable, how strength will be measured, and when jumping can be reintroduced. You can also ask whether imaging is needed and why a procedure such as shockwave therapy or PRP injection fits your situation.