[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/blogs\/is-that-pain-caused-by-jumpers-knee\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/blogs\/is-that-pain-caused-by-jumpers-knee\/","headline":"Is That Pain Caused By Jumper\u2019s Knee?","name":"Is That Pain Caused By Jumper\u2019s Knee?","description":"If a patient has been suffering from knee pain related to activity, it could be jumper\u2019s knee, a painful condition due to an overuse injury or small tears in the patellar tendon. Reflex Knee Specialists is a knee clinic offering non-surgical treatments for knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including jumper\u2019s knee, to […]","datePublished":"2024-03-21","dateModified":"2024-04-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/author\/seoaccounts\/#Person","name":"SEO","url":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/author\/seoaccounts\/","identifier":4,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/25d521bea98e4070937950c92cd06d2b99615947d3d29e3682593c48f0372431?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Reflex Knee Specialists","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/b1ec2b6df7.nxcli.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/logo.png","url":"http:\/\/b1ec2b6df7.nxcli.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/logo.png","width":169,"height":104}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/basketball-player-knee-injury.jpg","url":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/basketball-player-knee-injury.jpg","height":836,"width":1253},"url":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/blogs\/is-that-pain-caused-by-jumpers-knee\/","about":["Blogs"],"wordCount":1012,"articleBody":"If a patient has been suffering from knee pain related to activity, it could be jumper\u2019s knee, a painful condition due to an overuse injury or small tears in the patellar tendon. Reflex Knee Specialists is a knee clinic offering non-surgical treatments for knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including jumper\u2019s knee, to patients in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona. Here, our knee orthopedists discuss jumper\u2019s knee, its signs and symptoms, and the treatment options we offer at Reflex Knee Specialists. What Is Jumper\u2019s Knee?Jumper’s knee, also known as patellar tendinitis or patellar tendinopathy, is a common overuse injury that affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). It is frequently seen in athletes involved in jumping sports like basketball, volleyball, and track and field, hence the name “jumper’s knee.” It is caused by repetitive activities or sports requiring strenuous jumping, landing, and accelerating. Signs and Symptoms of Jumper\u2019s KneeJumper\u2019s knee (or patellar tendinopathy) is a condition that develops over time, usually slowly. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, often worsening as the condition progresses. While symptoms vary in severity, they typically include:PainPain is the primary symptom of jumper\u2019s knee and usually affects the front of the knee, just below the kneecap (patella). Initially, the pain may be dull and achy. However, it can progress to a sharp and stabbing\u00a0sensation with continued activity.TendernessThe area where the patellar tendon attaches\u00a0to the bottom of the knee cap (patella) may be tender to the touch.StiffnessPatients may experience stiffness in the knee, especially after prolonged periods of inactivity or waking up in the morning.SwellingSwelling around the patellar tendon or the knee joint itself may occur, particularly following physical activity.Decreased Range of MotionSome individuals with jumper\u2019s knee may notice a reduced ability to bend or straighten the knee joint fully. This is because those movements may cause pain and stiffness.Pain With ActivityPain typically worsens with activities that involve:JumpingRunningSquattingClimbing stairsPain may also be aggravated by direct pressure on the knee, such as kneeling.Pain After ActivityPain and discomfort may persist after exercise or physical activity, often lasting for hours or even days afterward.WeaknessPatients may experience a sense of weakness in the quadriceps muscles, particularly when attempting to perform activities that engage the knee. These activities include jumping or squatting.Causes and Risk Factors of Jumper\u2019s KneeCertain risk factors may make a person more likely to develop jumper\u2019s knee. These include:Gender: Jumper\u2019s knee is more common in men than women.Level of athletic participation: Athletes who perform or train at a competitive or elite level have higher risks of developing jumper\u2019s knee than recreational athletes.Type of physical activity: People who participate in sports like basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics are more susceptible to developing jumper\u2019s knee than those who do not.Although athletes who make repetitive movements are more likely to get jumper\u2019s knee, people who do not participate in jumping sports can also develop this condition. Diagnosing Jumper\u2019s KneeWhen a patient presents with recurring pain in their knee that worsens with activity, their medical provider will likely perform diagnostic testing to determine whether the problem is jumper\u2019s knee or another condition. The evaluation generally includes taking a detailed medical history and performing a thorough physical exam. What sets the evaluation apart by a provider at Reflex Knee Specialists is imaging the tendon using ultrasound. Ultrasound of the tendon can show changes associated with a tendon strain or overuse, as well as partial or complete tears of the tendon. It can also show swelling or asymmetry of the tendon which allows the provider to pinpoint the source of pain with precision. Jumper\u2019s Knee Treatment OptionsSince jumper\u2019s knee is caused and worsened by repetitive movements, the main treatment is to reduce or stop the activities that place extra\u00a0strain on the knee. This is a temporary measure until the pain subsides, and patients often need to undergo physical knee therapy to restrengthen their tendons and muscles. This helps them to regain full function.Other treatments involved in managing pain and symptoms for Jumper\u2019s Knee include:Medications: Patients take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to reduce pain.Rest: Patients must rest to let the tendon heal.Physical therapy: A high-quality Physical therapy evaluation includes identifying which supporting muscles require stretching and\/or strengthening and prescribing home exercises to restore function for the long term.Elevating and icing: Patients can elevate and\/or ice the knee to help with swelling.Patellar straps: These straps apply pressure to the patellar tendon to help redistribute forces and reduce stress on the tendon during physical activity. This support helps alleviate pain.Platelet-rich plasma(PRP):\u00a0For cases that are not responding to conservative measures or for athletes who need to accelerate their recovery time, one or two injections of PRP into the tendon may be needed to jumpstart healing and improve symptoms.\u00a0In severe or chronic cases of jumper\u2019s knee, physicians may consider surgery as a treatment option, although this is rare. Generally, non-surgical treatments are sufficient for treating jumper\u2019s knee. At Reflex Knee Specialists, our medical providers offer comprehensive non-surgical treatments for knee injuries\u00a0and conditions, including physical therapy, comprehensive knee evaluations, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and more. Book a Consultation TodayPatients with long-lasting knee pain often think they need surgery to get back to living their life pain-free. At Reflex Knee Specialists, our skilled team of medical providers takes an integrative approach to treating chronic\u00a0knee\u00a0pain\u00a0and\u00a0its\u00a0causes with non-surgical treatments. Patients can easily access comprehensive treatment for knee pain with offices in Portland, OR, Bellevue, WA, and Tempe, AZ. Patients can book an appointment\u00a0with our knee specialists today to learn more about jumper\u2019s knee treatment. Call\u00a0503-719-6783\u00a0or contact us\u00a0at\u00a0Reflex Knee Specialists."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blogs","item":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/blogs\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Is That Pain Caused By Jumper\u2019s Knee?","item":"https:\/\/reflexknees.com\/blogs\/is-that-pain-caused-by-jumpers-knee\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]