The patellar tendon connects the lower pole of the patella to the tibia. Patellar tendinopathy (PT), often referred to as jumper’s knee, is a chronic overuse injury of the patellar tendon.
The main clinical symptom is pain at the inferior pole of the patella. Diagnosis is based on the clinical features of the disease. Diagnostic imaging should be considered to rule out other causes of knee pain or to establish the diagnosis of PT when in doubt.
The treatment of PT should start with conservative treatment modalities including rest, physiotherapy, eccentric strengthening, bracing and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients not responding to conservative treatment for six months should then be subjected to radial shock wave therapy (RSWT). Surgery should be considered for recalcitrant cases of PT. Numerous arthroscopic and open procedures were described, but a consensus agreement about the best option is not available.