What are the symptoms of patellar tendonitis in athletes?
The diagnosis of patellar tendonitis is usually straightforward. Pain is usually reproduced with palpation of the area of inflammation and injury. This is most commonly at the inferior pole of the patella, but can occur anywhere along the course of the tendon. Compared to the opposite, normal knee, the tendon will often appear swollen and often warm to the touch. Depending on the severity, the athlete may have significant pain with jumping or kneeling. Walking up and down stairs can also place significant loads of the extensor mechanism and exacerbate the pain. X-rays are sometimes useful to evaluate for other causes of knee pain, but are typically normal with patellar tendonitis. If the patellar tendon is ruptured, the kneecap will displace “upward” and the distance between the kneecap and shinbone is greater than normal (“patella alta”). Ultrasonography and MRI are both sensitive and specific in identifying patellar tendinitis and localizing the area of “micro-injury” to the tendon.
The diagnosis of patellar tendonitis is usually straightforward. Pain is usually reproduced with palpation of the area of inflammation and injury. This is most commonly at the inferior pole of the patella, but can occur anywhere along the course of the tendon. Compared to the opposite, normal knee, the tendon will often appear swollen and often warm to the touch. Depending on the severity, the athlete may have significant pain with jumping or kneeling. Walking up and down stairs can also place significant loads of the extensor mechanism and exacerbate the pain. X-rays are sometimes useful to evaluate for other causes of knee pain, but are typically normal with patellar tendonitis. If the patellar tendon is ruptured, the kneecap will displace “upward” and the distance between the kneecap and shinbone is greater than normal (“patella alta”). Ultrasonography and MRI are both sensitive and specific in identifying patellar tendinitis and localizing the area of “micro-injury” to the tendon.
The diagnosis of patellar tendonitis is usually straightforward. Pain is usually reproduced with palpation of the area of inflammation and injury. This is most commonly at the inferior pole of the patella, but can occur anywhere along the course of the tendon. Compared to the opposite, normal knee, the tendon will often appear swollen and often warm to the touch. Depending on the severity, the athlete may have significant pain with jumping or kneeling. Walking up and down stairs can also place significant loads of the extensor mechanism and exacerbate the pain. X-rays are sometimes useful to evaluate for other causes of knee pain, but are typically normal with patellar tendonitis. If the patellar tendon is ruptured, the kneecap will displace “upward” and the distance between the kneecap and shinbone is greater than normal (“patella alta”). Ultrasonography and MRI are both sensitive and specific in identifying patellar tendinitis and localizing the area of “micro-injury” to the tendon.
