Jumper's knee, also sometimes known as patellar tendinitis, is a painful condition characterized by inflammation or degeneration in the tendon that runs between the bottom of your kneecap and the top portion of your tibia. If you have jumper's knee, sprinting can be the underlying cause of your condition or lead to worsening of your existing injury. Rehabilitation for this type of tendon damage typically requires temporary avoidance of both sprinting and jumping.
Understanding Jumper's Knee
If sprinting and jumping trigger irritation or inflammation in your patellar tendon, you will develop patellar tendinitis. If irritation and inflammation lead to an actual degeneration of your tendon tissue, you will develop a related, more serious condition called patellar tendinopathy. Some doctors refer to patellar tendinitis when they use the term "jumper's knee." Other doctors use the term to refer to patellar tendinopathy. In either case, excessive sprinting, jumping or rapid changes in direction can trigger the onset of sharp pain during physical activity and lingering, duller pain throughout the rest of your day.
Avoiding Sprinting
You typically need to avoid sprinting and jumping whenever possible during active treatment for jumper's knee. If your symptoms stem from patellar tendinitis, additional treatments include the application of ice or another cold source, hamstring and quadriceps stretches prior to any athletic activity and full-body warmups before any activity. If you have patellar tendinopathy, additional treatment steps may include use of a knee support, anti-inflammatory medications, massage and laser or ultrasound treatments.
Appropriate Rehabilitation
To rehabilitate a case of jumper's knee, you may need to avoid sprinting and any other aggravating activity for as long as several months. Additional measures in the early stages of rehabilitation may include stretching exercises for the front and back of your thigh, balance training and leisurely bike riding. Later in your recovery, you can perform exercises that will strengthen your knee and prepare you to return to your preferred sport or activity. Potential options here include moving and motionless exercises for the front of your thigh, jogging and controlled jumping.
Considerations
If avoiding sprinting and jumping, exercises and other conservative treatments don't improve the condition of your knee, your doctor may consider surgical repair of your patellar tendon. Surgical options include removal of the damaged section of your tendon and the use of small incisions to relieve some tendon stress. Typically, you will need to start a course of rehabilitation following any surgical procedure. If you don't follow the treatment and rehabilitation guidelines for jumper's knee, you can develop chronic pain that prevents you from participating in any activity that places stress on your knee.
