Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Author Spotlight: Integrating Mechanical and Biological Analysis in Tendinopathy Research
Published on: March 1, 2024
Patellar Tendinopathy
Aaron Schwartz1, Jonathan N Watson2, Mark R Hutchinson2
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois schwaaron@gmail.com.
Context:
Patellar tendinopathy is a common condition. There are a wide variety of treatment options available, the majority of which are nonoperative. No consensus exists on the optimal method of treatment.
Evidence Acquisition:
PubMed spanning 1962-2014.
Study Design:
Clinical review.
Level Of Evidence:
Level 4.
Results:
The majority of cases resolve with nonoperative therapy: rest, physical therapy with eccentric exercises, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, glyceryl trinitrate, platelet-rich plasma injections, and ultrasound-guided sclerosis. Refractory cases may require either open or arthroscopic debridement of the patellar tendon. Corticosteroid injections provide short-term pain relief but increase risk of tendon rupture. Anti-inflammatories and injectable agents have shown mixed results. Surgical treatment is effective in many refractory cases unresponsive to nonoperative modalities.
Conclusion:
Physical therapy with an eccentric exercise program is the mainstay of treatment for patellar tendinopathy. Platelet-rich plasma has demonstrated mixed results; evidence-based recommendations on its efficacy cannot be made. In the event that nonoperative treatment fails, surgical intervention has produced good to excellent outcomes in the majority of patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
01:23Knee Joint
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris...
01:23Muscles that Move the Leg
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed...