Patellar Tendinitis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of patellar tendinitis begins with a physical exam. During the visit, your healthcare professional may press on different areas of your knee to pinpoint where the pain is coming from. Pain from patellar tendinitis typically occurs on the front of the knee, just below the kneecap.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests are not always required to diagnose patellar tendinitis, but they may be recommended to rule out other causes of knee pain or to better assess tendon damage. Common imaging options include:

• X-rays to rule out bone-related causes of knee pain
• Ultrasound to show tears or changes in the patellar tendon
• MRI to provide detailed images that reveal subtle tendon changes

Treatment

Surgery is rarely necessary for patellar tendinitis. Most treatment plans begin with reducing or avoiding activities that trigger pain, followed by additional therapies to support healing.

Medicines

Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may help provide short-term relief from the discomfort associated with patellar tendinitis.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy plays a key role in treatment and may include:

• Stretching exercises to lengthen the quadriceps and nearby muscles
• Strengthening exercises that gradually increase the load on the tendon to build protection and stability
• Strapping or taping techniques to reduce pressure on the tendon and ease pain
• Iontophoresis, a therapy that uses a mild electrical charge to help a steroid medicine pass through the skin

Surgical and other procedures

If symptoms do not improve with other treatments, additional procedures may be considered:

• Corticosteroid injections into the sheath around the patellar tendon may reduce pain. These are used carefully because they can weaken tendons.
• Platelet-rich plasma injections may support tendon healing, although research is ongoing.
• The Tenex procedure uses an ultrasound-guided oscillating needle to remove damaged tissue while protecting healthy tendon.
• The Tenjet procedure uses a pressurized water stream to clear damaged tissue. Both approaches show promise but require more study.
• Surgery may be recommended in rare cases when other treatments fail. It involves removing damaged sections of the patellar tendon. Some procedures can be done using small incisions around the knee.