Evaluation of patellar tendinopathy using the single leg decline squat test: Is pain location important?

A cross-sectional study of non-elite volleyball players aged 13-17years.

To evaluate the presence and location of pain during the single leg decline squat (SLDS) and compare patellar tendon thickness, structure, neovascularisation and symptom severity between SLDS-derived groups.

32 male and 25 female participants attending a 5-day volleyball training camp underwent clinical evaluation by SLDS, describing the location of pain during this test using a pain map. The patellar tendon was examined using ultrasound imaging, performed by an assessor blinded to other assessments. Differences between participants experiencing local patellar tendon pain (PTP), other knee pain (OKP) or no-pain during the SLDS were evaluated.

Fifteen (26.3%) participants experienced pain during the SLDS. Local PTP was recorded for 12.3% and OKP for 10.5% of right legs. The PTP group was distinguished from the other groups by larger thickness and cross-sectional area of the mid-patellar tendon (p < 0.001), more frequent neovascularisation (p = 0.005) and greater pain and disability (p < 0.036). No differences between OKP and no-pain groups was observed.

Adolescent non-elite volleyball players reported symptoms indicative of patellar tendinopathy. In this cohort, the SLDS test combined with a pain map was associated with imaging and questionnaire-based outcomes.

Diagnosis, Level 2; Cross-sectional study.