Menu

Tennis Knee

What is tennis knee?

Tennis knee is known by a number of names such as jumper’s knee and runner’s knee, but medically, it is called “patellar tendonitis”. Patellar tendonitis or tennis knee is an injury that is similar to tennis elbow and is characterised by the inflammation of the tendon that connects your patella (kneecap) to your tibia (shin bone). The associated pain is either mild or severe.

Tennis knee is an injury that occurs simply as a result of overuse and repeated strain on your kneecap. Tennis knee weakens the tendons in your knee and if left untreated will eventually damage your tendons.

Causes of tennis knee

Just like tennis elbow, tennis knee is an overuse injury. This means that it is caused by overuse or frequent pressure on your knee joint, such as when you frequently jump or land on your knees on hard surfaces. Tennis knee is common among athletes and sports people; however, this condition can happen to anyone. You are at the risk of tennis knee if you are involved in activities that place repetitive strain on your kneecaps and knee joints.

There are two types of tennis knee: patellar tendonitis, which is the more common one and refers to the inflammation of the tendons around the knee; and patellar tendinopathy, which is the wearing away of the tendons as a result of overuse. Both conditions require immediate medical care if you are to avoid serious complications.

Symptoms of tennis knee

The most obvious sign of tennis knee is the pain. Due to inflammation, and wear and tear of the knee tendons, you will definitely experience pain at the affected area. However, this pain can be quite mild, or very severe.

Other symptoms include:

  • Swelling
  • Tenderness in the affected area
  • Pain and discomfort when squatting or kneeling down
  • Stiff knee
  • Fluid retention

As the tendon becomes more damaged, the symptoms worsen. This is why you should see your GP if you are experiencing pain in your knee, especially if the pain and swelling do not go down after a couple of days.

Diagnosing tennis knee

In order to find out the cause and severity of your condition, your GP will likely request for your medical history, ask certain questions that has to do with your occupation and daily activities, and carry out a physical examination.
If more information is needed, your doctor may recommend an X-ray or MRI scan to complete the diagnosis.

Getting help for tennis knee

If you constantly engage in activities that place unnecessary pressure on your knee joints, you are at risk of tennis knee. In some cases, this condition will resolve after a few days, but it is always best to seek medical counsel so as not to miss anything.

There are a number of treatment options you can consider while waiting for the injury to heal. These treatments range from home remedies to physiotherapy, osteopathy and medication.

They include:

  • Keeping pressure away from the affected knee
  • Elevating the affected knee
  • Using ice packs and cold compresses to relieve the swelling
  • Taking pain medication for the pain
  • Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to free up the muscles

While you are trying out the above solutions, the next step is to consult an expert that can help fasten the healing process. Your doctor is in the best position to recommend medications and gels that would help bring down the swelling.

If you condition is quite severe, you will benefit from physiotherapy. To find out physiotherapy and osteopathy options for tennis knee, call Hove Osteopath on 0000000000.

Tennis knee FAQ’s

How long does it take to heal tennis knee?
The duration of the healing process depends a lot on the severity of your condition. For example, a mild case of tennis knee or patellar tendonitis which is just the swelling and inflammation of your knee tendons can heal up completely in a few days, while the more severe patellar tendinopathy, where the tendons of your knee are worn out may take as long as ten weeks.
Can tennis knee be prevented?
Patellar tendonitis is usually caused by repetitive sudden pressure to the knee joints, such as when you are constantly involved in running, jumping, squatting and throwing. If your occupation or every activity involves any of the above, it will be difficult to prevent tennis knee. However, there are a number of precautions you can take to reduce the risk of tendon injuries.

They include:

  • Wearing the appropriate type of footwear for the activity
  • Doing warm up exercises before the activity and stretches afterwards
  • Taking regular breaks from continues exercise to rest your body and knee joints
  • Changing your activity routine once in a while
Can tennis knee heal on its own?
The human body has the ability to heal itself, but that does not mean you should take chances. With proper care and the right amount of rests, a mild case of tennis knee should get better after a few days. However, it is always best to see a doctor to avoid missing out on something important.

Related Conditions

Get In Touch.

Want to work with us?