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Important information for patients - Dr. Capeci and RYC Orthopaedics have moved into a beautiful new office on the Upper East Side. The new office is located at 55 East 86th Street, #1A, New York, NY 10028. The phone number is 212-348-3636; all prior phone and fax numbers will continue to work as well. Dr. Capeci will be seeing patients exclusively in this location and his office hours will continue to be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, replacing both prior locations. Please pardon our appearance and any confusion that comes with this transition. Please call the office with any questions or concerns. Dr. Capeci looks forward to welcoming you to our new space! Thank you.

Patellar Tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis, also known as "jumper's knee", is an inflammation of the patellar tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone. This tendon helps in extension of the lower leg.

Causes  

Patellar tendinitis usually results from repetitive trauma or overuse, particularly from sports activities involving jumping such as basketball or volleyball. Therefore, this condition is also known as jumper’s knee. Rarely, this condition may also occur because of an acute injury to the tendon that has not healed properly.

Symptoms

Pain over the patellar tendon is the first symptom of patellar tendinitis. You may also have pain during activities, especially jumping or kneeling. Rarely, swelling around the tendon may be seen.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will evaluate your condition based on your symptoms and physical examination. X-ray of the knee may be taken to make sure there is no problem involving the bones or bone spurs around the knee. An MRI scan can reveal degenerative changes in the patellar tendon.

Conservative Treatment Options

Treatment options for patellar tendinitis include:

  • Rest the injured knee and avoid activities such as running and jumping that worsen the condition
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to provide relief from pain and swelling associated with patellar tendinitis
  • Stretching out before exercising is important to prevent recurrence of patellar tendinitis. These exercises can also help strengthen the patellar tendon and nearby muscles such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles
  • Application of ice to the affected area helps to control the inflammation and reduce the swelling
  • A knee support or strap (called an intrapatellar strap or a Chopat strap) can be worn to relieve pain by directing the force away from your tendon and into the strap
  • Iontophoresis: In this technique, topical corticosteroid medication is applied to the affected area with the help of a small device that uses an electric charge to deliver the medication through your skin
  • Corticosteroid injection: With the guidance of an ultrasound, corticosteroid injection may be given directly into the sheath around the affected patellar tendon. This helps to relieve pain and perform strength exercises without any pain

Surgery

In rare cases such as when there is persistent pain, despite the other treatment options, surgery may be considered. Surgery involves the removal of severely damaged parts of your tendon and repair of any tears in the tendon.

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