As a large portion of the nation’s attention turns to the “March Madness” NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in the coming days, Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan says now is an ideal time to educate fans, young competitors and even blue-collar workers about an injury prevalent in jump-heavy activities: jumper’s knee.
Among the most common injuries in sports, jumper’s knee is an overuse injury that can develop when one repeatedly jumps and lands heavily. Known in the medical community as patellar tendonitis, it affects 25 to 32 percent of basketball players and 30 to 51 percent of all volleyball players, according to a 2009 review.
“Jumper’s knee develops when the patella tendon – the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone – becomes overstressed,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “Over time, a lot of strenuous jumping and landing can chronically overload the tendon. This leads to tiny tears in the tissue that can cause inflammation, pain and gradual weakening of the tendon.”
It’s an injury that can heal quickly, but without rest, repeated strain can worsen the condition.
“Initially, you’ll typically feel the pain just below the kneecap during use or after a workout,” Dr. Donovan said. “Without rest and treatment, the pain will eventually worsen and start to keep you from practicing, competing or comfortably going about your daily life.”
According to Dr. Donovan, people who experience the symptoms of jumper’s knee should try a course of Physical Therapy treatments. The quicker it can be addressed and diagnosed, the better the prognosis for recovery. A Physical Therapist will develop a personalized regimen to address weakened hip and knee muscles to best strengthen the patellar tendon.
Working with a physical therapist can help athletes and others reduce the following risk factors:
Tight Leg Muscles: According to the Mayo Clinic, tight muscles in the legs – especially your quads and hamstrings – can predispose a person to developing jumper’s knee. Stretching and flexibility training can help reduce the strain on one’s patellar tendon.
Muscle Imbalance: Imbalances in the leg muscles – say, muscles in the quad are stronger than those in the hamstrings – can pull on the tendon unevenly, making one more susceptible to jumper’s knee. Through an assessment, a physical therapist can identify such muscle imbalances and provide specific strength exercises to establish a better equilibrium in the knee.
Poor Mobility & Technique: Whether jumping, landing, kicking, pivoting or changing direction, using proper technique ensures no one part of the body (i.e., the patellar tendon) is taking on the brunt of the force. Physical Therapist are specifically trained in optimal mobility and movement. Through a comprehensive movement assessment, they will identify and correct dysfunctional movement habits to help prevent future injury.
“Whether it’s from basketball or volleyball, or from jumping on and off heavy equipment all day on a construction site, jumper’s knee can derail a person from the life they want to live,” Dr. Donovan said. “Fortunately, it’s an injury that’s treatable as well as preventable, often with a little help from your physical therapist.”
