Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee) Treatment and Rehab

Our Sports Chiropractors like to joke that “jumper’s knee doesn’t just happen to jumpers.” Truth is, we see plenty of runners, lifters, pickleball players — even desk-jockeys — dealing with nagging pain right below their kneecap. Patellar tendinitis (or patellar tendonitis… however you like to spell it) is an overuse injury that happens when your quadriceps overpower your glutes, placing repetitive stress on the patellar tendon over time.

When this tendon gets angry, it lets you know — with sharp, achy, or burning pain right below the kneecap. You might notice it flaring up when:

• Climbing stairs or hills

• Jumping or sprinting

• Squatting or lunging

• Sitting for long periods (that “movie theater knee” ache)

The pain can range from mild irritation to “I can’t run another step.” If left untreated, it can progress from inflammation (tendonitis) to degeneration (tendinosis), which can take significantly longer to heal.

Common Causes and Mechanisms of Injury

• Overtraining without proper recovery

• Weak or inactive glutes (aka “sleepy glute syndrome”)

• Poor landing mechanics or limited ankle mobility

• Quad-dominant lifting patterns

• Improper footwear or running surface changes

• Tight hip flexors or limited hip mobility

How We Treat Patellar Tendonitis at Minnesota Movement

At Minnesota Movement Chiropractic & Sports Rehab in Excelsior, we don’t just ice it and tell you to rest. We dig deep to find why that tendon is overworked — and build a plan to fix the root cause.

Our treatment plans often include:

• Active Release Technique (ART): To break down scar tissue and restore normal tendon glide

• Extremity Adjustments (hip, knee, ankle, and foot): To improve joint alignment and load distribution

• Manual Muscle Therapy: To loosen tight quads, hip flexors, and calves contributing to the overload

• Functional Dry Needling: To alleviate tension in the quad muscles, inspire more healing in the patellar tendon, or facilitate more glute engagement

• Gait & Movement Assessment: To correct faulty stride or squat mechanics

• Acceleration/Deceleration Training: To retrain your muscles to absorb and generate force properly

• RockTape Kinesiology Taping: To support movement patterns and provide pain relief during rehab

Expected Recovery Time

With consistent treatment and a personalized rehab plan, most patients see noticeable improvement within 4–6 weeks, depending on the severity and how long the issue has been present. Chronic cases can take 8–12 weeks to fully resolve, but our focus is always on returning you to sport safely — and stronger than before.

Patient Success Story:

After months of knee pain from playing sand volleyball, I finally booked with Dr. Reid. Within a few visits, my pain was down by half — and now I’m back playing weekly without that constant ache! Eager to see where the progress continues to take me as I start working on the workout programming to address the underlying imbalances too.

- Alli W. Mound, MN

Ready to Fix Your Knee Pain for Good?

If your knee’s been nagging you for weeks or months, don’t wait for it to “go away.” Book an appointment today and let our Lake Minnetonka sports chiropractic team help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing what you love.

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