Knee · Trenton, MI
Jumper's Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)
Physical therapy for jumper's knee (patellar tendonitis) at Total Body Rehab — evaluation-driven, one-on-one care in Trenton, serving all of Downriver.
Jumper's knee — patellar tendinopathy — is overload of the tendon connecting kneecap to shin. It's the signature injury of basketball, volleyball, and any sport with repeated jumping and landing, but stairs and squatting-heavy work can drive it too.
Tendon research is emphatic: rest alone doesn't fix it. Progressive loading does, and it's the core of treatment.
Common signs & symptoms
- Pain at the bottom of the kneecap
- Pain with jumping, landing, and stairs
- Stiffness after sitting
- Warm-up phenomenon: pain eases during play, returns after
- Tenderness pressing the upper patellar tendon
How physical therapy helps
We start with isometric loading, which reduces pain while maintaining strength, then progress through heavy slow resistance to energy-storage work — hopping and jumping — as the tendon rebuilds capacity. Landing mechanics and training-load management prevent the overload from repeating. It's structured, measurable, and it works.
Treatments we use
- Isometric & heavy slow loading
- Plyometric progression
- Landing-mechanics training
- Load management
- IASTM
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep playing my sport during rehab?
Often yes, with load managed — tendons tolerate some continued play alongside a loading program. We track morning pain as the tendon's report card and adjust week to week.
Why does my knee feel better once I'm warmed up?
That warm-up phenomenon is classic tendinopathy — the tendon quiets with activity, then complains later. It fools athletes into overdoing it, which is why load management matters.
How long does patellar tendinopathy take to fix?
Tendon remodeling takes 3–6 months of progressive loading for well-established cases. Improvement starts much sooner, but sticking with the full program is what prevents relapse.
This page is general education, not a diagnosis. For advice about your specific situation, schedule an evaluation or talk with your physician.