Pain just below your kneecap when jumping, squatting, or going down stairs? Patellar tendinitis, often called jumper’s knee, can turn your active lifestyle into a daily struggle. The good news: with the right care, you can heal, rebuild strength, and get back to doing what you love pain-free.
You don't have to push through the knee pain. Whether you're an athlete sidelined by pain or just want to enjoy walking without discomfort, patellar tendinitis is treatable. With targeted therapy, guided rehab, and expert care, you can rebuild strength and reduce inflammation naturally. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports chiropractic physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!
About Patellar Tendinitis
& Anatomy That Contributes
Patellar tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the patellar tendon, which connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). This tendon plays a crucial role in helping your leg extend, whether you’re kicking, jumping, or simply climbing stairs. Over time, repetitive stress or improper movement patterns can cause tiny tears in the tendon, leading to pain and dysfunction. This condition is especially common in athletes who participate in jumping sports like basketball, volleyball, or track—but it can also affect anyone who puts consistent strain on the knee.
Common Causes of Patellar Tendinitis
Understanding Why It Happens
Patellar tendinitis typically develops due to repetitive overuse and strain on the knee joint, especially with activities involving jumping, running, or sudden stops and starts. Contributing factors include:
• Tight or weak quadriceps and hamstrings that increase strain on the tendon
• Improper biomechanics during movement, such as knee collapse or overpronation
• Sudden increases in training intensity or volume
• Inadequate recovery or stretching routines
• Wearing poor footwear that lacks support or shock absorption
Common Conditions Related to Patellar Tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis may overlap with or lead to other conditions if left unaddressed:
Quadriceps Tendinitis – Inflammation above the kneecap from similar loading patterns
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – Pain around the kneecap due to tracking issues
Chondromalacia Patella – Softening of cartilage under the kneecap
Meniscus Irritation or Injury – As a result of compensating movements
IT Band Syndrome – When lateral knee pain coexists due to imbalances or overuse
Treatments for Patellar Tendinitis
Find Relief Once & For All
Before we are able to treat your patellar tendinitis pain at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your knee pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using chiropractic, orthopedic, and functional movement testing. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free—without unnecessary medications or surgery.
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments
At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.
PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain
For chronic patellar tendinitis pain, PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy uses focused and targeted sound waves to:
Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair—without surgery or downtime
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation—no discomfort, just relief
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:
Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in advanced chiropractic care and personalized treatment plans, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time—just the right care for the best results.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.