Patellar Tendinopathy Physiotherapy
Assessment and progressive rehabilitation for jumper’s knee: tendon pain below the kneecap during jumping, running or strength training.
The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shin and helps transfer the force needed to straighten the knee. Tendinopathy can develop when activity demands exceed what the tendon currently tolerates. It differs from the broader pain around or behind the kneecap often called runner’s knee. Rehabilitation considers training load and gradually rebuilds capacity; simply waiting for all discomfort to disappear may not prepare you for sport.
This guide is general information and does not replace a clinical assessment.
When to get urgent help
A newly hot, swollen painful joint needs urgent GP or NHS 111 advice, even without fever. Get NHS 111 advice now for severe knee pain, inability to move or take weight, major swelling or locking. After a major injury, an obviously dislocated joint or loss of feeling needs A&E or 999. Do not wait for routine physiotherapy.
NHS: Knee pain- Your clinic
- Newham clinic & directions
Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8SD
- Self-pay
£60 for a 30-minute physiotherapy appointment.
Prices & self-pay- Health insurance
Cover depends on your plan and chosen physiotherapist.
Insurance & cash-plan guidance
Common Symptoms
Localised tenderness in the tendon just below the kneecap
Pain with jumping, landing, sprinting or loaded knee-bending activities
Stiffness after sitting or on first moving in the morning
Symptoms that ease during a warm-up but return later or the following day
Seek Prompt Medical Advice If You Have
A sudden pop with inability to straighten the knee or take weight: get NHS 111 advice now for a possible tendon injury
Severe knee pain, major swelling, a changed shape or a locked knee: get NHS 111 advice now
A hot swollen painful joint, with or without feeling unwell: seek an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 advice
After a major injury, an obviously dislocated joint or loss of feeling: go to A&E or call 999
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or seek urgent medical care.
Assessment
Review recent changes in jumping, running, hills, gym loading and recovery time
Check the location of tenderness and assess knee movement and controlled loading
Compare leg strength and movement control before choosing appropriate rehabilitation tasks
Screen for other causes of knee pain, including an acute tendon injury needing medical investigation
Treatment
Agree temporary changes to painful jumping or sprinting while retaining suitable lower-impact fitness activity
Introduce tendon-loading exercise at a manageable level, then progressively build strength
Address relevant hip, thigh and calf strength alongside the knee programme
Reintroduce jumping, landing and sport demands in stages rather than using pain relief alone as clearance
Aftercare & self-management
At your appointment, agree which exercises to do, how often to practise them and when to review your progress.
Record training load and next-day symptoms to help adjust the agreed programme
Avoid stacking several demanding jumping or leg-training sessions together while rebuilding tolerance
Use the agreed exercise range and resistance; do not repeatedly force painful stretches or deep squats
Return for review if function deteriorates or progress stalls rather than repeatedly testing maximal jumps
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jumper’s knee the same as runner’s knee?+
No. Patellar tendinopathy usually involves a more localised tendon problem below the kneecap. Runner’s knee often describes pain around or behind it. Both can hurt during stairs or squatting, so symptom location and examination matter more than the label alone.
Should I completely stop exercising?+
The usual approach is to reduce aggravating tendon load while maintaining suitable activity. Which exercises remain appropriate depends on irritability and examination. A sudden injury with loss of knee function is different and needs medical assessment, not a tendon-loading programme.
Do I need a scan for patellar tendon pain?+
A history and examination are often enough to guide initial care. Imaging may be appropriate if an acute tear or another diagnosis is suspected, or if it would change management. A scan is not an automatic requirement before starting suitable rehabilitation.
When can I return to jumping or running?+
Return is based on your tolerance of progressively harder tasks and how the knee responds afterwards. Walking comfortably does not necessarily mean the tendon is ready for repeated jumps. Your plan should include stages and review points rather than a guaranteed recovery date.
Related Pages
Explore related treatments and condition guides.
Further reading
For public health information, self-care guidance and advice on when to seek medical help:
- Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS: patellar tendinopathy
- Tyneside Integrated MSK NHS: patellar tendinopathy
- NHS: knee pain and urgent symptoms
- NHS: joint pain and urgent symptoms
About your care at Nexus: meet our physiotherapists and read our clinical governance information.