Patellar Tendonitis

Complete rest tends to backfire with tendon injuries — a tendon that stops being loaded loses capacity, and the pain often returns as soon as activity resumes at the old level. The tendon needs the right dose of load, not the absence of it.

• Repetitive jumping or explosive quad loading
• Sudden increases in training volume or intensity
• Weak quad and hip strength relative to activity demand
• Poor landing mechanics increasing tendon stress
• Inadequate recovery between high-load training sessions

• Pain directly below the kneecap
• Symptoms that worsen with jumping, squatting, or stairs
• Stiffness after sitting for a period of time
• Tenderness with direct pressure on the tendon
• Pain that initially fades with warm-up, then returns after activity

We assess tendon irritability with specific loading tests, along with quad and hip strength, and review your training volume and mechanics to identify what pushed the tendon past its recovery capacity.

We use a progressive loading program, often built around isometric and eccentric exercise in the early stages, to calm irritation while rebuilding the tendon’s actual tolerance for the demands of your sport or activity.

• A progressive loading program, often starting with isometric and eccentric work
• Addressing quad and hip strength deficits contributing to the overload
• Activity modification during the higher-irritability phase
• Structured return to jumping and cutting activity

Most cases show meaningful improvement within six to ten weeks of consistent, progressive loading, with full return to jumping sports typically staged over a somewhat longer timeline to avoid recurrence.

A tendon problem gets solved by training the tendon back to capacity, not by waiting it out. That’s the difference between managing jumper’s knee for a season and actually getting past it.