PATELLAR TENDINITIS

(Jumper’s knee) is an overuse injury where the patellar tendon becomes inflamed, this cord-like connective tissue located just below the kneecap, joins the patella to the tibia. Jumper’s knee is common in athletes whose sports require rapid jumping, kicking or stopping from high speed. These repetitive actions overstress the tendon leading to microscopic tears, inflammation, and pain.

AVAILABLE THERAPIES

The most common treatment of Jumper’s knee, consists of rest, ice, stretching, and physical therapy focused on the hamstring, muscles of the back portion of the thigh, flexibility and the strengthening of the quadriceps.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) are more recent interventions being utilized to treat conditions such as Jumper’s knee. PRP is used for pain relief and is believed to promote healing of musculoskeletal injuries. PRP works by injecting the patients blood that has been centrifuged, spun at a high speed, to concentrate platelets and several different growth factors that stimulate healing of bone and soft tissue.

VISUAL ILLUSTRATIONS