The most common tendonitis about the knee is irritation of the patellar tendon. Patellar tendonitis or "jumper's knee" is the inflammation of the tendon that attaches the patella or kneecap to the tibia, the major bone in the lower leg. This condition is often seen in basketball, volleyball, distance running, long-jumping, mountain climbing, figure skating or tennis.

Signs and Symptoms
The athlete usually notes that after practice or participation in an even there is a sudden onset of aching in the area just below the kneecap. An associated feeling of fullness or "swelling" in the area of the knee may be present. The athlete may experience a momentary giving away or weak feeling about the knee without the knee becoming truly locked. Occasionally, the onset may be related to a specific knee injury during takeoff or landing on the leg, or even a direct blow. In the initial phase of jumper's knee, this discomfort generally abates after a period of rest. The aching may subsequently appear at the beginning of the activity, disappear after "warming up", then re-appear after completion of the activity. In phase II, the athlete is still able to perform the activity at a satisfactory level. Phase III is characterized by pain becoming more persistent, being present before, during, and after activity, until finally there is a definite impairment of performance with apprehension of further participation by the athlete. The athlete may eventually experience an episode with sever impairment and subsequent inability to extend the knee resulting from the complete tear of the tendon attachment to the kneecap.

Treatment
During phase I and II, conservative treatment is usually sufficient to alleviate the symptoms. The treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication, ice massage for 20 minutes per session with a physical therapist, strengthening the muscles of the front of the thigh, rest, and the use of a neoprene knee sleeve. The knee sleeve will buttress the patellar tendon during activity and relieve some of the tension on the affected area. More severe and chronic cases may require a local steroid injection. However, repeated local injections of corticosteroids to any tendon area brings the possibility of permanent tendon injury. Phase III treatment includes a period of prolonged rest from the initiating activity, even remotely similar. With the recurrence of significant symptoms upon reinitiation of the activity, the athlete must be advised to either give up the sport or to consider corrective surgery. In those cases in which complete tendon rupturing has occurred, surgical tendon repair with extensive rehabilitation is a necessity before the athlete can return to any type of activity.

What You Can Do to Prevent Jumper's Knee
Often, correcting preexisting leg strength and flexibility deficits and following a good conditioning and flexibility program can help you to avoid this condition. Be realistic about the length and duration of each activity session. Exercising more than four times a week should be avoided unless you are in peak condition. Rest in a very important aspect of your training; don't leave it out of your routine. Should symptoms of jumper's knee appear, recognize the problem and seek early medical treatment for the condition so that you can continue full participation in your sport.