FACT SHEET – Musculoskeletal Service
Patella and Quadriceps Tendinopathy
Information for patients
The anatomy of the knee
Tendons are strong cords of fibrous tissue that
attach muscle to bones. The kneecap (patella)
is attached to the quadriceps muscles at the top
by the quadriceps tendon. The patella is
attached at the bottom to the shinbone (tibia) by
the patella tendon.
Both of these tendons work with the muscles in
the front of your thigh (Quadriceps) to straighten
your leg.
Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy means pain from a tendon it does not mean damage to the tendon
although some structural changes may be seen. Tendinopathies are most often
overuse injuries that have a gradual onset of pain; although they can also develop
following a direct blow to the tendon.
Prolonged and repetitive stresses (e.g. exercise) on a tendon can result in a reaction
in the tendon causing pain and sometimes swelling/thickening. This is a normal
reaction that the body uses to reduce load on the tendon and does not mean it is
damaged.
In the patella and quadriceps tendon, tendinopathies often occur following a period
of increased activity such as a change in work or a new hobby, or in people who run
or do sports, a change in training schedule.
What are the symptoms of Patella / Quadriceps tendinopathy?
Both of these problems tend to be aggravated by prolonged activities such as
climbing/descending stairs; squatting; jumping or running. They can cause a build-up
of pain during an activity. In some cases they give no pain during activity, but give
pain sometime after the activity is stopped.
How is Patella / Quadriceps tendinopathy diagnosed?
You should expect your clinician to ask about your symptoms so they can
understand how your problem affects you. They will perform a physical assessment
where they test the movements and strength of your knee and look at tasks
/movements you find difficult or painful. They may also assess other joints such as
your hip and ankle and will likely assess the length of the muscles around your knee.
FACT SHEET – Musculoskeletal Service
Are x-rays or scans needed?
X-rays are not helpful to diagnose this condition as tendons do not show up on them.
Sometimes if your pain came on suddenly after a fall or other incident an ultrasound
or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is requested.
What is the treatment for Patella / Quadriceps tendinopathy?
Tendons have a long healing process but most people who stick with tendon
rehabilitation exercises will get back to their normal activity levels. Initial
management is to try to reduce the actions that irritate your pain, for example if you
go running you should reduce the speed or distance of this so that you do not feel
worse after doing it.
Pain medication such as paracetamol can help manage your symptoms although
should be combined with a graded exercise programme to rehabilitate your tendon.
There is poor evidence for patellar braces and a corticosteroid injection is not
indicated in this condition.
Other types of injection and very occasionally surgery are used to try to help this
condition however appropriate exercise is the most effective way to get better.
Self help exercises
Exercises should focus on increasing the strength of the quadriceps and its tendons
as well as hip muscle strength, and sometimes flexibility of structures surrounding
your knee such as your hamstrings; calf muscles and quadriceps muscles.
Start the program with the first stage exercises and progress onto the second stage
when squatting/siting down slowly onto a chair, or going up/down stairs becomes
pain free or just uncomfortable.
Once you have started the second phase keep going with the first phase exercises
on the days you do not do the second phase ones.
If you have had this problem for a long time it may take 6-12 weeks to see significant
improvement, so do not give up if you are not seeing benefit in the first few weeks.
FACT SHEET – Musculoskeletal Service
First stage exercises
Main Exercise
Type of exercise: Reason to do this: What to do:
Static If squatting or stairs are 5 lots of 45 second holds in a bent
painful. This exercise knee position (see pictures).
will help with pain and
tendon strength. 2-3 times a day
Static mini squat with band or belt
Progress to to allow you to squat back. Bend
knees and hold.
Progress to more knee bend as
pain allows.
Its okay for the exercise to be
uncomfortable but it should not be
very painful and you should not
feel worse after doing it.
Assistance Exercise
Type of exercise Reason to do this What to do
Movement To strengthen the hip 3 lots of as many lifts as you can
muscles that support the do once a day.
knees.
Bridging - Lie on your back with
your knees bent at 45-90 degrees.
Tighten your buttock muscles to
push your hips up as in the
picture.
Hold for 2 seconds then slowly
lower back to the ground.
Clam - Lie on your side with knees
together and bent up to 90
degrees.
Keep heels together while lifting
the upper knee as high as
possible without moving you
pelvis.
Hold for 2 seconds then slowly
lower back to the start.
FACT SHEET – Musculoskeletal Service
Second stage exercises
Main Exercises
Type of exercise: Reason to do this: What to do:
Movement Once you can do a 3 lots of 15 lifts per exercise. Taking 2-3
squat or step up seconds to lower & 2-3 seconds to stand
with little pain. up.
3 non-consecutive days a week.
Single leg dip / squat – Stand on one leg,
bend knee and lower slowly to 90
degrees of knee bend. Hold onto
something for balance if needed.
If 15 lifts are too easy then add weight,
by holding something heavy in each
hand.
Chair Squats – Stand infront of a chair,
slowly lower yourself until your bottom
just touches the chair then stand back up
slowly keeping your knees over your
feet.
If 15 lifts are too easy then add weight
Your therapist may also give you a
reistance band to tie around your legs to
make your hip muscles work more.
Assistance Exercise
Type of exercise: Reason to do this: What to do:
Movement To further 3 lots of as many steps as you can
strengthen the hip manage.
muscles that support
your knee. 3 non-consecutive days a week.
X-band walks – Standing on an exercise
band, cross band in front of body and
then with a small squat, walk forwards
keeping feet just beyond hip width apart.
Headquarters:
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
2nd Floor, Mallard Court, Express Park,
Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4RN
Date Issued: August 2017
Tel: 01278 432 000 Fax: 01278 432 099 Review Date: August 2019
Email: foundationtrust@sompar.nhs.uk Author: Musculoskeletal Service
Web: www.sompar.nhs.uk Version: 2
