Patellar Tendonitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Patellar Tendonitis?
A sports medicine doctor (a doctor who treats sports injuries) or an orthopedic doctor (a bone and joint doctor) usually treats patellar tendonitis. A physical therapist, a trained expert in exercise and movement, often provides the main part of treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is patellar tendonitis?
Patellar tendonitis is also called jumper's knee. Doctors may also call it patellar tendinopathy. It is a long-lasting injury to the patellar tendon, the tendon at the front of the knee. It is an overuse injury, which means it comes from the same stress on the body again and again.
It is most common in athletes who jump a lot, such as volleyball and basketball players.
Symptoms
The main symptom is pain at the front of the knee. The pain usually grows slowly over time. Common signs include:
- Pain and tenderness around the patellar tendon.
- Pain when you jump, or when you bend and straighten the knee.
- Swelling in the knee.
- Pain that often gets worse with exercise, or sometimes when the knee stays bent for a long time.
In mild cases, pain happens only during sports. As the condition gets worse, pain can start at the beginning of exercise or last through the whole workout. In severe cases, it can hurt during daily tasks or even at rest.
Causes and who gets it
Patellar tendonitis is often caused by repeated small injuries to the tendon. Risk factors include playing jumping sports, being able to jump very high, and training on hard surfaces. Other possible risk factors are recent use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, a group of antibiotic medicines. Connective tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may also raise the risk.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors diagnose patellar tendonitis from your symptoms and an exam of your knee. The provider asks when the pain began and which sports or activities you do. The provider checks how far your knee moves, how flexible it is, and how strong it is. The provider also presses along the tendon to find sore spots. Pain along the tendon that gets worse when you straighten the knee against resistance is a classic sign.
Routine scans are not required or recommended. Some doctors use an X-ray, an ultrasound, or an MRI, which are picture tests, to look for other problems. Scans alone should not decide the diagnosis because they can be misleading.
Treatment
Treatment without surgery is the first step. It includes relative rest, stretching and strengthening exercises, and fixing movement problems. Relative rest means cutting back on painful activity instead of keeping the knee still.
Physical therapy is the main part of treatment without surgery. Physical therapists most often use eccentric exercises, which strengthen the thigh muscle and the tendon. These exercises can be painful for some people. Another plan adds more load to the tendon in steps, based on what your pain allows. A strap worn around the top of the kneecap may help move stress away from the tendon.
Pain medicines such as NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medicines) and acetaminophen may be used for a short time. NSAIDs are not recommended for long-term use because they may slow tendon healing. Steroid shots may ease pain for a short time. However, they seem to limit long-term healing and raise the risk of a tendon tear.
Studies disagree on whether shockwave therapy helps. There is not enough evidence to say whether PRP shots (platelet-rich plasma injections) work. Surgery is a rare choice for people who do not respond to other treatment. It is generally advised only after six months of unsuccessful treatment without surgery.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have pain at the front of your knee during sports or jumping. Get care soon if the pain starts to hurt during daily tasks or at rest, because that can mean a more severe case. Getting help early matters because this problem can last for years.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can listen to your story, examine your knee, and help you plan next steps. They can also refer you to a sports medicine doctor or a physical therapist if the pain does not improve.
Common questions
Is patellar tendonitis the same as jumper's knee?
Yes, jumper's knee is another name for patellar tendonitis. Doctors may also call it patellar tendinopathy.
Does patellar tendonitis need surgery?
Usually not, because many athletes respond well to treatment without surgery. Surgery is considered when treatment without surgery fails.
Can patellar tendonitis last a long time?
Yes, it can last for years. Doctors say high load on the tendon that keeps going can make the injury chronic, which means long-lasting.
Do steroid shots help patellar tendonitis?
Not really, because they may ease pain only for a short time. These shots seem to limit long-term healing and raise the risk of a tendon tear.
Sources
- PubMed Central - A Review of Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes Involved in Jumping Sports
- PubMed Central - Patellar tendinopathy: an overview of prevalence, risk factors, screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
