Jumper’s Knee, also known as patellar tendinopathy, refers to a pain, ache or possible tightness of the tendon between the patella (the kneecap) and the tibial tuberosity (the bony protuberance below the knee cap). Read on to learn Jumper’s Knee Treatment options that are right for you.
As a common condition, Jumper’s Knee can occur to all different types of people. While many basketball players experience this condition, it’s just as likely to occur in an adolescent who spends too much time on the trampoline, an office worker climbing stairs or a tradie ascending a ladder. That’s why Jumper’s Knee treatment is a common occurrence across the industry.
Most practitioners, however, will treat Jumper’s Knee by strengthening or stretching the quadriceps muscle. But what if I told you that this sort of solution is failing to address the real problem? For those of you who have jumped the gun, read on to find out how you find a real solution to a pain-free life.
What is Jumper’s Knee?
Jumper’s Knee is considered by sports doctors as an ‘overuse injury’. As a result of repeated strain, micro-tears and tissue degeneration can occur in the patella tendon.
The condition should be distinguished from patella tendonitis (or simply tendinitis) which involves an acute inflammation of the tendon. This usually settles down after a few days of rest and recuperation.
Patellar tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) relates directly to the irreversible degeneration of the tendon itself. In practice, the majority of chronic cases tend to be this type of degenerative damage (i.e. Jumper’s Knee).
Although Jumper’s Knee is an ‘overuse injury’, there are a range of factors which may increase your likelihood of encountering the condition. These include;
- Poor foot biomechanics
- Weak quadriceps muscles
- Incorrect training practices
Common Causes Of Jumper’s Knee
Like most injuries treated at Point Cook Physical, Jumper’s Knee is typically caused by a combination of culminating circumstances.
Common causes include;
- Sports which require sudden changes in direction or acceleration
- Occupations that necessitates climbing up and down stairs/ladders
- Poor foot and ankle movement
- Inadequate range of motion in the hips
- Restricted motion in the spine
The first issue is associated with sports which require sudden accelerations or changes in direction. When repeated over a long period of time, these movements can negatively impact the strength and condition of your knee joint.
Having said that, any occupation which necessitates climbing up and down stairs/ladders may place similar stress upon the patella tendon, rendering it more prone to dysfunction.
The second relevant factor is the functioning of the rest of the body. Poor foot and ankle movement or inadequate range of motion in the hips will put excessive pressure upon the knee, in particular the patella tendon. Restricted or inflexible motion in the spine, namely the thoracic spine, will also upset the knee and its associated tissues.
Jumper’s Knee Treatment Options
Typical treatment for Jumper’s Knee involves;
- Rest
- Knee braces
- An ultra-sound
- Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medication
- Stretching/strengthening of the quadriceps
- And, if the condition persists, injection of the patella tendon with cortisone
While these solutions may assist in reducing the severity of your symptoms in the short-term, none of these treatment options will actually resolve the true cause of Jumper’s Knee. Rather, Jumper’s Knee treatment needs to be centred around increasing the flexibility in your hip joint and restoring the correct range of motion in your feet.
At Point Cook Physical, our highly-skilled practitioners are trained in cutting-edge Jumper’s Knee treatment options; because of the likelihood of chronic pain, it’s important that you seek treatment options which offer the best chance of resolving the issue completely.
Long-Term Pain Solutions
If you’re suffering from chronic knee pain, the good news is we have a solution for you. Patella tendonitis, or Jumper’s Knee, occurs when surplus stress is placed upon it by other areas of the body.
To see a marked reduction in pain and a return to full function and use, it’s vitally important that you improve bodily mechanics in a holistic manner. When you do this correctly, you’ll notice an immediate reduction in pain. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to diagnose this at home. While stretching or resistance exercises may help in the short-term, only a real examination of the surrounding conditions will offer true hope of reducing the pain entirely.
Find Your Jumper’s Knee Treatment Options Now
Don’t suffer alone in pain. Our highly-qualified, friendly staff are here to help. Whether you’re experiencing knee pain for the first time or you’ve battled patella tendonitis for years, we have a treatment option that’s right for you.
Book an appointment now and discuss your options with one of our trained professionals. Unless you seek a personalised treatment plan, it’s very likely that your ailment will remain, the tendon will stay inflamed and your condition will continue to deteriorate.
Call us on 03 9369 9766 or Book Online now to speak with one of the specialists at Point Cook Physical. And be sure to follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with the latest promotions and activities!
