Knee tendonitis

Tendonitis is the result of damage to the protective layer of a tendon. As a result of this damage, the tendon becomes inflamed. It feels warm, is painful, and swells. This makes moving the knee more difficult.

The knee has multiple muscles that attach to the knee joint via tendons. These tendons play an important role in stabilizing the knee and enabling movement.

Cause of tendonitis in the knee

Tendonitis in the knee generally develops due to (long-term) overuse. This is especially the case in sports such as soccer, athletics, volleyball, and basketball. Other risk factors include a malalignment of one or both legs, an incorrect (running) technique, or being overweight.

The tendon in the knee that most often becomes inflamed is the patellar tendon (kneecap tendon). This tendon is an extension of the thigh muscles and attaches from the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone. Inflammation of this tendon is also referred to as jumper's knee.

Symptoms of tendonitis in the knee

All tendonitis conditions in the knee follow a similar pattern. Tendonitis is recognized by (pressure) pain at the level of the tendon. The tendon may feel warm and appear swollen. There may also be pain during movements or stiffness of the tendon at the start of activities.

The course of tendonitis in the knee is characterized by three consecutive phases. In the first weeks, the pain is limited to after exertion. In the next phase, the symptoms are also present during sports. After a good warm-up, however, the symptoms diminish. In the last phase, the symptoms become chronic; the pain is present regardless of physical load. 

It is therefore very important to take rest in time during the first two phases to prevent the symptoms from becoming chronic.

Diagnosis of tendonitis in the knee

In general, physical examination by the family doctor or physiotherapist will suffice. They have a number of specific tests available.

In case of doubt, the family doctor may choose to have additional tests performed. In that case, an ultrasound or MRI scan will most likely provide sufficient clarity.

Treatment of tendonitis in the knee

For proper treatment of tendonitis in the knee, it is extremely important to recognize the symptoms in time. In the early phase, getting sufficient rest and applying ice may be enough to reduce the symptoms within a few weeks.

If symptoms increase, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapist. In knee tendonitis, treatment will first focus on pain reduction. Common treatment methods for this are frictions, taping, and shockwave. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, recovery will take approximately six to twelve weeks.

Following this, the main objective is to increase load capacity. Research has shown that exercise therapy is very effective for this. For recurring tendonitis, a brace or patellar strap may be an option to better support the knee.