Knee tendonitis is irritation of one of the tendons around the knee — most often the patellar tendon just below the kneecap, the cause of the familiar “jumper’s knee”. It is a common overuse injury in active people, particularly those who run, jump or play sport, and it usually responds well to a sensible, graded approach. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire with tendon-related knee pain.
Understanding knee tendonitis
The powerful quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh attach to the shin through the kneecap and the patellar tendon, transmitting the force that straightens the knee with every step, jump and landing. When these tendons — the patellar tendon below the kneecap or the quadriceps tendon above it — are repeatedly overloaded, they can become painful and less able to tolerate load. This is broadly what we mean by knee tendonitis, though specialists increasingly use the term tendinopathy to reflect that the problem is one of gradual overload rather than simple inflammation.
The distinction matters because it shapes how the problem is best managed. Tendons generally respond not to complete rest but to carefully graded loading — gradually rebuilding their capacity to cope — which is why exercise is such an important part of recovery. It is a mechanical, manageable problem rather than a sign of anything serious.
The name “jumper’s knee” reflects how common this is in sports involving repeated jumping and landing, such as basketball, volleyball and netball, but it is far from limited to athletes. Anyone who increases their running, squatting or jumping more quickly than the tendon can adapt to can develop it, which is why understanding and managing load is so central.
What knee tendonitis can feel like
Symptoms usually centre on the front of the knee and include:
- Pain felt just below the kneecap, or sometimes just above it
- Discomfort when sitting with the knee bent for long periods
- Pain that is worse with jumping, running, squatting or going down stairs
- Tenderness over the affected tendon when pressed
- Stiffness and pain after rest, easing a little as the area warms up
- Pain that has built up gradually rather than appearing suddenly
- Discomfort that lingers the day after a bout of jumping or running
Tendon pain often follows a recognisable pattern, being worst when you first get going and after periods of higher activity, which helps point to the diagnosis. Many people describe a tendon that complains at the start of exercise, warms up and eases during it, then aches again afterwards or the following morning.
Common causes and risk factors
Knee tendonitis usually develops from overload rather than a single injury. Common contributors include:
- A sudden increase in training, running distance or jumping activity
- Sports involving repeated jumping, landing or sprinting
- Weakness or imbalance in the thigh, hip and buttock muscles
- Tightness in the quadriceps and surrounding muscles
- The natural changes in tendons that come with age
- Returning to sport or training after a break without building back up gradually
Part of our assessment is identifying which tendon is involved and, importantly, what led to it being overloaded, so that recovery addresses the cause as well as the symptom.
When to seek help
Tendon-related knee pain is not dangerous, but it can be slow to settle and is worth addressing rather than pushing through. Please seek prompt medical attention if your knee pain follows a significant injury, if you cannot bear weight or straighten the knee, or if the knee is hot, swollen and red with a fever. Otherwise, it is worth seeking advice if the pain is persistent, limiting, or not improving as you would hope.
How long does it take to settle?
It is important to set realistic expectations with tendon problems, because they tend to take longer to settle than muscle strains — often a matter of weeks to a few months rather than days. This is not a sign that anything is seriously wrong; it simply reflects the way tendons respond to loading and rebuild their capacity gradually. The encouraging news is that, with a sensible, progressive approach, the great majority improve well. Patience and consistency with a loading programme tend to be far more effective than seeking a quick fix or resting until the pain has completely gone.
How chiropractic care can help
Chiropractors care for many people with tendon-related knee and joint pain. Following a thorough assessment, our hands-on, drug-free care may include soft-tissue work to ease tension around the affected tendon, mobilisation of the knee, hip and surrounding joints where movement is restricted, and — most importantly for tendon problems — a carefully graded rehabilitation programme to rebuild the tendon’s capacity to cope with load. Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy and sports therapy, which are particularly valuable here. We will always be honest about what care can realistically offer and refer you on where appropriate.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your knee pain. We will take a careful history — particularly any recent changes in your activity — and carry out a physical examination of the knee, hip and lower limb, including tests of strength and movement. We will explain what we have found in plain language and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page. Because tendon problems respond best to a progressive approach over time, we will set out a realistic plan, explain your part in it, and review your progress as we go. We will also be clear that the aim is not to wait for the pain to vanish before doing anything, but to load the tendon sensibly so it becomes more capable — some manageable discomfort during rehabilitation is often acceptable, and we will help you judge what is reasonable.
Helping yourself: self-care and recovery
Your own role is central in recovering from knee tendonitis:
- Reduce, rather than completely stop, the activities that are overloading the tendon
- Keep gently active and follow a graded strengthening programme consistently
- Avoid sudden spikes in training, and increase loads gradually
- Be patient and consistent, as tendons reward steady effort over time
- Address contributing factors such as thigh and hip muscle weakness
- Resist testing the tendon with painful activity to “see how it is”, which can set progress back
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build a safe, progressive exercise and self-care plan around your particular tendon problem.
Related conditions and treatments
Knee tendonitis is closely linked to knee and leg pain, knee bursitis and other recurrent overuse injuries. The care we provide draws on approaches such as exercise and rehabilitation and chiropractic manipulation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic, physiotherapy and sports therapy services.
Take the first step
If tendon-related knee pain is getting in the way of the activities you enjoy, you do not have to simply put up with it. We are happy to talk it through and help you understand your options. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.