Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee): Physiotherapy Assessment, Rehabilitation & Return to Sport
Patellar tendinopathy—often referred to as jumper’s knee—is a common overuse injury affecting athletes and active individuals who participate in jumping, sprinting, or high-load knee activities. At Fit2Function Allied Health, we provide evidence-based physiotherapy to reduce pain, restore tendon capacity, and support a safe return to sport and training.
This page explains what patellar tendinopathy is, why it occurs, how it is best managed, when imaging is useful, and how modern, load-based rehabilitation works.
What is Patellar Tendinopathy?
Patellar tendinopathy involves pain and dysfunction of the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia). Rather than being an inflammatory condition, patellar tendinopathy reflects changes in tendon load tolerance and structure over time.
Symptoms typically develop gradually and are linked to excessive or poorly managed loading of the tendon.
Common Causes & Risk Factors
Patellar tendinopathy usually develops due to a combination of factors, including:
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Repetitive jumping, landing, or sprinting
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Sudden increases in training load or intensity
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Reduced quadriceps or hip strength
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Poor load management or inadequate recovery
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Stiffness in the ankle, knee, or hip affecting force absorption
It is common in sports such as basketball, volleyball, netball, football, and athletics, but can also affect recreational exercisers.
Symptoms
Common features of patellar tendinopathy include:
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Pain localised to the patellar tendon, usually just below the kneecap
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Pain that worsens with jumping, squatting, running, or stairs
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Morning stiffness or pain at the start of activity that may ease with warm-up
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Reduced power, confidence, or performance
Unlike acute injuries, swelling is often minimal, and symptoms may fluctuate with training load.
Early Management: What Actually Helps?
Outdated advice such as complete rest or repeated anti-inflammatory treatment is no longer recommended for patellar tendinopathy.
Evidence-based early management focuses on:
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Load modification, not complete rest
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Education around tendon pain and flare-ups
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Isometric exercises to reduce pain and maintain strength
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Gradual exposure to tendon loading rather than avoidance
Early physiotherapy aims to calm symptoms while maintaining tendon capacity.
Do I Need a Scan?
Patellar tendinopathy is primarily diagnosed clinically. Imaging is not always required.
Imaging may be useful when:
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Symptoms persist despite appropriate rehabilitation
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Diagnosis is unclear
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There is concern for other knee pathology
MRI or ultrasound may show tendon thickening or structural changes, but these findings do not always correlate with pain. Scan results should be interpreted alongside symptoms and function.
Physiotherapy Rehabilitation for Patellar Tendinopathy
Rehabilitation focuses on progressive, structured tendon loading rather than rest.
Key components of our approach include:
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Isometric loading for pain modulation
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Progressive strength training for quadriceps, glutes, and calves
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Slow resistance and energy-storage loading (e.g. squats, step-downs, plyometrics)
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Movement retraining to optimise force distribution
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Load management planning for sport, work, and training
Rehab is individualised and adjusted based on symptoms, strength, and response to loading.
Return to Sport & High-Load Activity
Return to sport is criteria-based, not time-based.
Before unrestricted return, goals typically include:
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Minimal or manageable tendon pain during and after activity
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Adequate lower-limb strength and power
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Ability to tolerate sport-specific jumping and landing drills
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Confidence with performance demands
Gradual reintroduction of high-load and high-speed activity is essential to reduce recurrence risk.
Preventing Recurrence
Long-term tendon health depends on:
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Ongoing strength and power training
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Monitoring training loads and recovery
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Early management of symptom flare-ups
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Maintaining movement quality and lower-limb capacity
Patellar tendinopathy can be successfully managed, but it requires consistency and a well-structured approach.
Book a Knee Assessment
If you are experiencing pain below the kneecap or struggling with jumper’s knee symptoms, our physiotherapists can assess your knee, guide rehabilitation, and help you return safely to sport or activity.
Learn More About Knee Injuries & Physiotherapy
Explore our other knee condition pages to understand evidence-based assessment, rehabilitation, and return-to-activity strategies: ACL Injuries | Meniscus & Cartilage Injuries | Patellofemoral Pain | MCL & LCL Injuries | Patellar Tendinopathy| Knee Osteoarthritis.
Our physiotherapists provide tailored programs to restore function, reduce pain, and support safe return to your activities.
