What is it?
- The Patella tendon is the tendon that joins the knee cap to the shin bone
- With overuse of the quadriceps muscles and this tendon the tendon can become inflamed and painful
What do I look for?
- Dull pain at the base of the knee cap or the prominence on shin bone (tibial tubercle), where the tendon attach
- Tightness and/or tenderness in the quadriceps muscle
- Pain with running, squatting, jumping, kneeling and/or kicking
- Often starts gradually over a period of a few weeks and increases over time
- Soreness lasting after activity and is eased with rest
What causes it?
- Tightness in the quadriceps muscles
- Overuse of the quadriceps muscles
- Overtraining
When do you see someone for help?
Your Lifecare practitioner will be able to provide an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate management plan. Often this problem can require a sports medicine doctor, physiotherapist, and/or podiatrist to assist.
For more information, see your local Lifecare practitioner. Click here to find your closest Lifecare clinic.
