Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee): Causes, Symptoms, and How to Actually Fix Knee Pain

Is pain under your kneecap slowing you down?

If you’re dealing with pain just below your kneecap when running, jumping, squatting, or even after workouts, you may be experiencing patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee. This is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain (pain in the front of the knee), and it affects far more than just athletes.

We see it all the time in:

• Active adults trying to stay consistent with workouts

• Busy parents constantly on their feet

• Teens involved in sports

• Runners and gym-goers dealing with recurring knee pain

If your knee pain keeps coming back or never fully goes away, understanding why is the first step.

What is Patellar Tendonitis?

Patellar tendonitis occurs when the patellar tendon (the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shin bone) becomes irritated, overloaded, and painful.

This typically develops over time due to repetitive stress rather than a single injury.

Common activities that can lead to patellar tendonitis include:

• Running

• Jumping sports (basketball, volleyball)

• Squatting and lunging

• Rapid changes in direction

• Jobs that involve frequent kneeling or bending

Over time, the tendon loses its ability to tolerate load, leading to pain and stiffness.

Common Symptoms of Patellar Tendonitis

You might be dealing with jumper’s knee if you notice:

• Pain directly under the kneecap

• Stiffness or aching after straightening your leg

• Knee pain during or after workouts

• Pain with running, jumping, or kneeling

• Symptoms that “warm up” during activity but worsen afterward

Why Your Knee Pain Isn’t Going Away

Most people are told to treat knee pain with:

• Rest

• Ice

• Bracing

• General strengthening exercises

And while that can help temporarily, it often doesn’t solve the problem long-term.

Here’s why:

Your knee is rarely the true root cause.

The knee sits between the hip and the ankle. If either of those areas isn’t moving well or producing force effectively, your knee is forced to compensate.

Over time, that extra stress shows up as pain, often labeled as patellar tendonitis.

The Real Cause of Patellar Tendonitis (What Most People Miss)

At our clinic, we often find that knee pain is driven by:

• Limited ankle mobility

• Poor hip mobility (especially internal rotation)

• Weakness or poor coordination through the hips and core

• Movement patterns that overload the knee

Real Patient Example

One patient came in with persistent pain under her kneecap. She assumed she had “bad knees” or early arthritis.

But during her evaluation, we didn’t just look at her knee.

We assessed her ankle and hip.

• Her ankle mobility was limited

• Her hip internal rotation was significantly restricted

When we tested her hip range of motion, she didn’t feel it in her hip…

She felt it in her knee. That told us everything.

Her knee wasn’t the primary issue - it was compensating. After improving her hip and ankle mobility, her knee pain reduced by about 80%.

From there, we focused on strengthening and retraining movement so the pain didn’t come back.

How to Treat Patellar Tendonitis the Right Way

If you want to actually fix knee pain (not just manage it), your treatment needs to go beyond the knee.

An effective approach to patellar tendonitis treatment should include:

1. Identifying the root cause

Not just where it hurts, but why it’s happening.

2. Restoring mobility

Improving movement in the ankle and hip to reduce stress on the knee.

3. Progressive strength training

Loading the tendon properly so it can tolerate activity again.

4. Movement retraining

Helping your body move efficiently so the knee isn’t overloaded during daily life or workouts.

When Should You Get Help for Knee Pain?

If you’re experiencing:

• Knee pain that keeps coming back

• Pain that hasn’t improved with rest

• Discomfort that limits your workouts or daily activity

It’s time to look deeper.

You don’t have to stop being active, and you don’t have to “just live with it.”

Knee Pain Treatment in Little Elm, TX

At Edge Rehab Chiropractic, we specialize in helping active adults resolve knee pain, patellar tendonitis, and jumper’s knee by addressing the root cause.

We provide:

• One-on-one evaluations

• Customized rehab plans

• Hands-on, non-invasive treatment

• Strength and movement programs designed for long-term results

Take the Next Step

If your knee pain isn’t improving, the next step is figuring out why. If you live in the North Dallas area, we'd love to help. Schedule your free call, and we’ll help you get clear on what’s going on and what to do next.