Patellar tendon pain (often called “jumper’s knee”) is a common injury affecting an estimated 40% of athletes in sports which require frequent jumping and landing. Many people are tempted to try to manage the pain on their own, but there are several reasons why working with a therapist can facilitate better results and avoid a frustrating cycle of recurrence.
Here are a few tips to help you through this process (and a glimpse of why getting professional help is strongly advised):
There are three stages of patellar tendon pathologies and each responds differently to management strategies. Despite this, all tendon injuries require stress to allow for appropriate repair. The classic model of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.) following acute injuries has fallen out of favor. While protecting injured tissue is important, prolonged rest can be harmful and produce adverse changes within the tendon structure. To reflect this knowledge, R.I.C.E has been updated to P.O.L.I.C.E. (protection, optimal loading, ice, compression, elevation).
Providing enough stress to stimulate desired change, without irritating the sensitive tissue, is difficult and requires strong knowledge of how various activities affect the tendon. Finding optimal load is not as simple as changing the weight during your exercises. There are many factors which influence the ultimate stress experienced by the tendon, and this stress significantly impacts long term pain and functionality. A therapist can guide you through this process and help you to get the dosage right.
You cannot forget to examine the rest of your body. Recent evidence suggests that strength and range of motion limitations at joints above and below the knee may contribute to the risk of developing tendon injuries. Prior injuries and imbalanced training programs may influence your ankle and hip movement patterns during activities in subtle yet important ways. If these factors remain unaddressed, the patellar tendon is still susceptible to injury.
A comprehensive evaluation with PT Solutions can help eliminate perpetuating variables and limit the likelihood of future issues. With more than 170 clinic locations in 15 states, PT Solutions is one of the largest and fastest growing private physical therapy practices in the country. Request an appointment today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Eure, PT, DPT obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise from Virginia Tech in 2011. Upon completion, Jason earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2013 from the University of St. Augustine where he graduated with high honors and was awarded the Stanley Paris and Catherine Patla Award for Excellence in Manual Therapy.
Jason practices full time as a clinician in outpatient orthopaedics and acts as an instructor for the Evidence Informed Practice I course through the University of St. Augustine. Jason prides himself on his ability to stay up to date with current evidence and his ability to translate these concepts into the clinical environment.
Jason has an extensive background working with athletes in both rehabilitative and performance roles, as Jason formerly worked with the strength and conditioning staffs at both the University of Richmond and Virginia Tech. By combining best evidence in each respective field, Jason specializes in late-stage rehabilitation and return to sport for athletes.
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