Corpus3D

Knee

Patellar tendinopathy

Mechanism
Repeated explosive loading of the extensor mechanism, typically in jumping sports. The condition almost always sits in the deep part of the tendon just below the patellar apex, where tensile force is highest.
Recognition
Point tenderness at the lower pole of the patella, pain appearing on jumping and landing that eases during warm-up and returns afterwards. The single leg decline squat provokes it.
Course
The FC Barcelona tendon guide describes tendinopathy as a continuum from reactive to degenerative, with treatment differing per stage. Rest alone does not help: the tendon needs load to recover, but dosed.
What the guideline recommends
The guide uses isometric loading for a painful, reactive tendon and then builds up through heavy slow resistance training to sport-specific load. Pain up to about 3 out of 10 during the exercise is acceptable as long as it has not increased the next morning.

Structures

Joints involved

Sources