Basketball, netball, and volleyball all put your knees through repeated jumping and landing, and that repetition is exactly what can lead to patellar tendinopathy, better known as jumper’s knee. If pain at the front of your knee is starting to interrupt training, competition, or even walking down stairs, our Auckland sports physiotherapists can help you understand what’s going on and get you back to full training.
What Is Patellar Tendinopathy?
The patellar tendon connects your kneecap to your shin bone and works every time you jump, land, run or change direction. Patellar tendinopathy, also called patellar tendinitis or jumper’s knee, develops when this tendon is loaded faster than it can adapt, rather than through a single, sudden tear. It’s one of several knee conditions we see regularly in athletes and active people at our Epsom clinic, alongside patellofemoral pain and iliotibial band irritation.
Signs to Look Out For
Jumper’s knee tends to build gradually rather than appear all at once. Watch out for:
- A dull ache at the base of the kneecap after training, which settles with rest
- Pain during warm-up that eases once you’re moving, then returns afterwards
- Pain during activity itself, affecting your jump, landing or sprint mechanics
- Discomfort during everyday movements, such as climbing stairs or standing up from a chair
What Causes Jumper’s Knee?
Patellar tendinopathy is usually linked to:
- A sudden increase in jumping or sprinting load
- Tight or weak quadriceps and hip muscles
- Landing technique that puts extra strain through the front of the knee
- Training surface, footwear or an insufficient warm-up
Because the cause is different for each patient, an accurate assessment matters more than guesswork.
How Our Auckland Physiotherapists Treat Patellar Tendinopathy
We start with a thorough assessment to confirm what’s driving your pain and rule out other knee conditions. From there, treatment usually combines hands-on manual therapy to ease pain and stiffness with a progressive strengthening programme, built and supervised in our onsite rehabilitation gym, to rebuild the tendon’s capacity to handle load. Some patients also find acupuncture a useful addition alongside their exercise programme. Throughout your rehabilitation, we work with you to adjust training load rather than ask you to stop activity altogether.
When to See a Physio About Knee Pain
The earlier patellar tendinopathy is addressed, the more straightforward the recovery tends to be. If knee pain has lasted more than a week or two, keeps returning each time you train, or is starting to affect your technique, book in with our team for an assessment. You don’t need a referral to see us, and if your knee pain relates to a specific accident, we can also help you understand your ACC options.
Contact Us
Ready to get your knee pain properly assessed? Book an appointment with our Auckland physiotherapy team today, or get in touch if you have any questions first.
Patellar Tendinopathy FAQs
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[custom_faq question=”Can I keep playing sport while I’m being treated for jumper’s knee?”]In many cases, yes, depending on how irritable your knee currently is. We’ll adjust your training load rather than stop you completely, since some movement often supports recovery better than full rest, and build a plan around your season and goals via our sports physiotherapy programme.[/custom_faq]
[custom_faq question=”How long does patellar tendinopathy usually take to settle?”]Recovery timeframes vary depending on how long you’ve had symptoms and how you respond to your rehabilitation programme. Tendons generally need consistent, progressive loading over a number of weeks to rebuild their strength, so your physiotherapist can give you a clearer timeframe once they’ve assessed your knee.[/custom_faq]
[custom_faq question=”Do I need a referral to see a physio for knee pain?”]No referral needed, just book an appointment for your knee pain. If it’s accident-related, we can also help lodge an ACC claim.[/custom_faq]
[custom_faq question=”Is physiotherapy for jumper’s knee covered by ACC or insurance?”]Cover depends on your individual circumstances. Claims linked to a specific accident may be eligible for ACC support, and our team can talk you through the process. If you have private health insurance, including Southern Cross, let our reception team know and we’ll check what’s covered.[/custom_faq]
[custom_faq question=”What happens at my first appointment for knee pain?”]Your first visit includes a discussion of your injury history and training, followed by a hands-on assessment of your knee’s movement, strength and control. From there, we’ll explain what’s likely driving your pain and set out a treatment plan, including any exercises to start straight away.[/custom_faq]
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