Description of a Patellar Tendon Injury

The patellar tendon encases the kneecap (patella) and connects the quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh with the top of the shinbone (tibia). The most common type of injury to the patellar tendon is inflammation, or tendinitis.

Sharp Blow

• You can injure the patellar tendon in a few ways, the most obvious being to land hard on the front of the knee or for something to hit it. This will inflame the tendon temporarily but rarely causes the micro-tears and inflammation found in long-term injury.

Mis-tracking

• The most common way for the patellar tendon to be injured is from mis-tracking of the tendon through the groove at the top of the tibia and over the knee cartilage during heavy exertion.

Overtraining

• Overtraining is usually a characteristic of patellar tendinitis, especially if the exertion is made in cold weather with insufficient clothing protection. The cold makes tendons more brittle and susceptible to micro-tears and irritation.

Tibial Twisting

• Fallen arches can injure the patellar tendon by twisting the tibia as the arch collapses under a strain. Orthotic inserts are used to prevent the collapse and keep the patella tracking.

Warm-up

• Insufficient warm-up can lead to patellar tendinitis. The knee characteristically hurts at the start of the warm-up but feels good at the end. This happens when the vastus medialis (one of the quadriceps) takes time to engage.