101) Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy): Physiotherapy Treatment Plan That Works

  • Jumper's Knee
  • January 31, 2026
HomeUncategorized101) Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy): Physiotherapy Treatment Plan That Works

Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy) is a stubborn tendon condition caused by poor load tolerance, not inflammation. The most effective jumper’s knee physiotherapy treatment uses progressive strengthening, smart load management, and movement retraining to reduce pain and get you back to sport — without relying on rest alone.

If Your Knee Pain Keeps Coming Back, This Is Why

You rest it.
It feels better.
You train again.
And the pain comes straight back.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken — you’re just treating jumper’s knee the wrong way.

Jumper’s knee (also known as patellar tendinopathy) is one of the most misunderstood knee conditions we see in the clinic. And unfortunately, outdated advice like “just rest it” or “stretch more” keeps people stuck in pain for months… sometimes years.

The good news?
When treated properly, outcomes are excellent.

This blog walks you through:

👉 If knee pain is stopping you from training, jumping, running or squatting — keep reading.

What Is Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy)?

Jumper’s knee is a load-related tendon condition affecting the patellar tendon — the strong tendon connecting your kneecap (patella) to your shin bone (tibia).

It’s most common in sports that involve:

We frequently see jumper’s knee in:

Despite the name, you don’t have to be a professional athlete. We see plenty of recreational athletes and active adults with patellar tendon pain.

Jumper’s Knee vs Patellar Tendonitis (Why Words Matter)

You’ll often hear the term patellar tendonitis, but this is outdated.

Here’s the key difference:

Most people with jumper’s knee have patellar tendinopathy, not inflammation.

Why this matters:

This is why modern jumper’s knee physiotherapy focuses on strengthening — not resting forever.

If your pain is more brouadly found around the knee cap, read our blog on Knee Cap Related Pain

Common Symptoms of Jumper’s Knee

Jumper’s knee often starts quietly and worsens over time.

Typical symptoms include:

Early on, pain may “warm up” with activity. Later, it can linger, limit performance, and even affect everyday tasks like stairs or getting out of a chair.

Why Rest Alone Doesn’t Work (And Often Makes It Worse)

Short-term load reduction can help settle pain — but complete rest is rarely the answer.

Tendons are load-responsive tissues. They need the right amount of stress to regain strength and capacity.

Think of it like this:

Without a structured plan, most people either:

This is where physiotherapy makes the difference.

Jumper’s Knee Physiotherapy: What Actually Works

1. Thorough Assessment (Not Guesswork)

Effective treatment starts with understanding why your tendon is overloaded.

Your physiotherapist will assess:

This ensures treatment targets the cause, not just the pain.

2. Pain-Modulating Isometric Exercises (Early Phase)

Isometric loading is often used early to:

Common examples include:

Pain is carefully monitored and kept within safe limits. This helps calm symptoms without shutting everything down.

3. Progressive Strength Training (The Foundation)

This is the cornerstone of jumper’s knee physiotherapy.

Key principles:

Common exercises include:

Strength programs are progressed gradually to rebuild tendon capacity safely.

4. Fixing the Bigger Picture

The tendon is rarely the only issue.

Your physio will also address:

We don’t just treat the tendon — we fix what’s overloading it.

5. Return-to-Sport & Plyometric Training

Once strength improves and pain is under control, jumping and sport-specific drills are reintroduced.

This may include:

Return to sport is planned, not rushed.

Real Patient Example (Local to Frenchs Forest NSW)

We recently treated a 29-year-old recreational netballer who travelled to our clinic from a surrounding suburb near Frenchs Forest, NSW.

She had over 5 months of patellar tendon pain that worsened with jumping and squatting. Previous advice had been rest, icing, and stretching — none of which worked long-term.

After 12 weeks of structured jumper’s knee physiotherapy focusing on progressive tendon loading, hip strengthening, and controlled return to jumping, she returned to full games pain-free and reported improved confidence and performance on court.

How Long Does Jumper’s Knee Take to Heal?

Recovery time depends on:

Typical timelines:

The key predictor of success? Doing the rehab properly.

Can You Still Train With Jumper’s Knee?

In most cases — yes.

Your physiotherapist will guide:

Staying active (with the right loads) usually leads to better outcomes than stopping completely.

Why Physiotherapy Is the Best Treatment for Jumper’s Knee

Jumper’s knee physiotherapy provides:

If your knee pain keeps coming back, it’s usually because the tendon hasn’t been rebuilt properly — yet.

Ready to Fix Your Jumper’s Knee?

If knee pain is stopping you from training, jumping or playing sport, don’t just rest and hope.

Proper physiotherapy works.

👉 Give us a call today on 9806 3077, or book online, just CLICK HERE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is jumper’s knee permanent?

No. With proper physiotherapy and progressive loading, most people make a full recovery.

Should I stop all sport with jumper’s knee?

Not always. Many people can continue modified training under physio guidance.

Are scans necessary for jumper’s knee?

Imaging isn’t always required. Diagnosis is usually clinical.

Do knee straps or braces help?

They may reduce symptoms short-term but don’t fix the underlying problem.

Is surgery required for patellar tendinopathy?

Surgery is rarely needed and only considered after failed conservative treatment.

References

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