Patella Tendinopathy, can be quite painful, sometimes debilitating and stand in the way of living our lives. Find out what you can do to manage your knee pain

Patella tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, is a common overuse injury that affects the patellar tendon, which connects the patella (kneecap) to the shin bone. This condition is often caused by repetitive stress and strain on the tendon, such as with jumping or running activities. Exercise physiology has been shown to be an effective approach for rehabilitating patella tendinopathy and improving knee health.
Understanding Patella Tendinopathy
Patella tendinopathy (formerly known as Patella Tendinitis) is a condition that results from repetitive microtrauma to the patellar tendon. This can cause the tendon to become inflamed and painful, making it difficult to perform physical activities. Risk factors for developing patella tendinopathy include overuse, sudden increases in training intensity, poor knee biomechanics, and muscle imbalances.
Exercise Physiology and Patella Tendinopathy

Exercise physiology is the study of how the body responds to physical activity, and it can be used to develop a targeted exercise program that addresses the underlying causes of patella tendinopathy. One of the key ways exercise physiology can be used to treat patella tendinopathy is through the development of a progressive loading intervention.
Tendon Loading
A progressive loading intervention involves gradually increasing the load placed on the patellar tendon over time. This can be done through movements such as squats, lunges, and calf raises. By gradually increasing the load, it can help to stimulate tendon healing and improve the strength and durability of the tendon.
Mobility
In addition to progressive loading, exercise physiology can also be used to develop a program that includes flexibility and mobility exercises. These exercises can help to improve the range of motion in the knee joint, reduce muscle tension, and improve overall joint health. Stretching exercises that target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles can be particularly effective in reducing the strain on the patellar tendon.
Neuromuscular Control
Finally, exercise physiology can also be used to develop a program that includes neuromuscular re-education exercises. These exercises focus on improving the coordination and control of the muscles around the knee joint. By improving neuromuscular control, it can help to reduce the forces acting on the patellar tendon and improve overall knee function.
In summary, exercise physiology can be an effective approach for managing patella tendinopathy. By developing a targeted exercise program that includes progressive loading, flexibility, and neuromuscular re-education exercises, it can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the knee joint, improve overall knee health, and prevent future injury.
,This is the best way to return to missed activities or sports! By building a strong, durable and responsive knee & lower limb unit, you will minimise risk of re-injury and optimise your ability to engage in movement & activities.
If you are experiencing patella tendinopathy, we recommend speaking with a qualified exercise physiologist to develop an exercise program that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Each case of patella tendinopathy is different, and each individual has different loading capacities & functional requirements.

Our Team can provide some insight on the benefits or exercise, what an intervention might look like, or provide some direction to help you take control of your health & achieve your goals today!