Patellar tendinopathy: an overview of prevalence, risk factors, screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Abstract

Patellar tendinopathy (PT), or jumper’s knee, is an overuse injury that occurs in professional, as well as recreational, athletes. This condition is a noncontact injury, typically characterized by gradually increasing pain in the patellar tendon. It is prevalent in participants of several sports, but it occurs mostly in jumping sports. The diagnosis of PT is primarily clinical; however, imaging techniques can be useful as well. Risk factors differ between sexes, playing conditions, the kind of sport, playing level and personal characteristics. Screening is an essential tool to assess PT. This condition affects athletic performance and often persists for years. The use of preventative methods is imperative because of the persistence of this condition, especially in elite athletes who sometimes end their career after long and failed treatments. There are a wide variety of treatment and rehabilitation options available, the majority of which are non-operative, such as eccentric exercises, cryotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and anti-inflammatory strategies. If conservative treatment fails, surgery is the next most preferable step. Even though there are many surgical treatment methods, there is no clear evidence on what is the most effective approach to address PT. Taking this into consideration, as well as the extent of this clinical entity, novel therapeutic techniques, as well as screening and prevention methods, are expected to emerge in the near future.

A Novel Tendon Injury Model, Induced by Collagenase Administration Combined with a Thermo-Responsive Hydrogel in Rats, Reproduces the Pathogenesis of Human Degenerative Tendinopathy

“…There is no standard treatment for tendinopathy, and available treatments are divided into surgical and non-surgical options. Non-surgical treatment is the primary option, and these therapies include exercise-based strategies, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and injections of compounds such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or corticosteroids, among others [15,41,42]. The effect of treatment with percutaneous electrolysis, combined with exercise, in patients with patellar tendinopathy has recently been studied and may have an impact on improving pain and disability [43].…”

A New Quantitative Tool for the Ultrasonographic Assessment of Tendons: A Reliability and Validity Study on the Patellar Tendon

“…Tendons are anatomic structures that transmit the force generated by muscle to bone [ 1 ]. Tendinopathy is a major problem in the general population, being especially important in the working and athletic populations, accounting for up to 30–50% of their clinical consultations [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Furthermore, tendinopathies represent an important socioeconomic problem, involving annual costs above EUR 800 for each patient [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…It is related to activities such as jumping, running, or squatting, reducing its functionality. Patellar tendinopathy is also known as jumper’s knee due to its high prevalence in athletes who engage in sports that involve jumping, including volleyball or basketball [ 3 ]. In fact, jumper’s knee is the most prevalent pathology in volleyball and basketball players, with a prevalence of 40% [ 13 , 14 ], and tendon damage affects nearly 100% of elite players [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Patellar Tendon Open Debridement and Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autograft for Severe Patellar Tendinopathy

“… 1 This injury is not a complete tear of the patellar tendon, but rather partial tearing typically occurring in running, jumping, and kicking sports. 2 , 3 The tearing occurs almost exclusively at the superior pole of the patella tendon and typically is located on the posterior or posteromedial aspect of the tendon. 2 Nonoperative treatment is recommended prior to surgical intervention.…”

“… 4 Nonoperative treatments include physical therapy, especially eccentric and isometric exercises; injections; and strapping/taping. 3 , 4 Surgical intervention is indicated when these conservative methods fail. 5 …”