Patellar Tendinopathy in Jumping Sports

Patellar tendinopathy - 'jumper's knee' - is particularly common in basketball, volleyball, and athletics events involving repeated jumping. The pain sits at the inferior pole of the kneecap (patella) and typically flares with jumping, landing, and prolonged sitting. Rest brings temporary relief but the problem returns the moment load is reintroduced. That's the pattern that tells you this needs active rehabilitation, not more rest.

Why jumping sports create patellar tendinopathy

The patellar tendon transmits the force of the quadriceps to the tibia. In jumping sports this demand is enormous - during a maximal vertical jump the tendon can experience loads up to nine times bodyweight. When training volume or intensity spikes without adequate recovery, the tendon's capacity is exceeded and structural change begins.

The VISA-P score

Severity of patellar tendinopathy is often measured using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment - Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire. It asks about pain with specific activities and gives a score out of 100. Tracking this over time is a useful way to objectively monitor progress beyond how sore the tendon feels on a given day.

The loading protocol

Isometric wall sits (120 degrees knee flexion, 45 seconds, 4-5 reps) reduce pain in the short term and allow loading to begin. Progress to heavy slow isotonic exercises - Spanish squats, leg press, and step-down progressions. The tendon needs load through the inner and outer range of quad contraction, not just a partial range.

Managing in-season

For athletes mid-season, complete withdrawal from sport is rarely practical or necessary. The goal is finding a load level that keeps the tendon manageable - typically reducing jump training volume by 25-40%, adding three isometric sessions per week, and monitoring the tendon's daily response. Completely avoiding all jumping tends to make the tendon more sensitive, not less.