Patellar Tendonitis (also known as Patellar Tendinopathy) occurs when the patella tendon becomes worn down. This is the tendon that links the kneecap to the shin bone (tibia), and it essentially acts as a pulley whenever bending the knee. The patella tendon becomes weaker as it wears down, and affected patients may feel pain whenever the knee is bent, such as when walking.
The condition is often known as Jumper’s Knee as it commonly happens to people who regularly play sports that involve a lot of jumping, such as netball or volleyball. It can also occur amongst older people, where the degeneration of the patella tendon is the result of repetitive micro-damage over time.
If you contract Patellar Tendonitis then the first thing you will probably notice is an aching pain just below your kneecap. This is likely to increase in acuteness gradually, rather than arriving in force all at once. Initially, you will probably only feel the pain after you exercise, but over time it could get worse until it eventually develops into constant pain whilst you are active.
Patellar Tendonitis may not initially affect your day to day life but as it progresses, and the patella tendon becomes more painful, then you may not be able to perform your normal activities as effectively as normal. As well as the discomfort you will feel, the affected area of your knee may also be quite tender to the touch.
If the condition is left untreated then it is possible that the tendon may eventually rupture, causing sudden pain and walking difficulties, as well as the knee potentially giving way.