A patellar tip syndrome or colloquially 'jumper knee' is a painful, chronic and degenerative disease of the bone-tendon transition in the area of the kneecap (patella). Patellar tip syndrome is often the result of a chronic overload of the patellar tendon due to forced knee joint stretching, as in jumping-intensive and abrupt direction-changing sports (volleyball, handball, basketball, football). In addition, there are internal influences such as reduced stretchability, congenital ligament weakness or even kneecap elevation.
So far, it has not been medically clarified exactly how the painful change in the patellar tendon occurs. However, it is known that the cause does not or not only lie in inflammation, but is mainly subject to degenerative changes in the bone-tendon transition at the lower tip of the patene. These changes can be described as the smallest cracks and injuries of the patellar tendon and deposits of connective tissue material. However, the patellar tip syndrome can also occur in non-active patients. There is a certain impingement problem (see impingement syndrome), i.e. a pinching of the patellar tendon in the area of the lower kneecap.
Characteristic for the patella tip syndrome are easily localizable exertional pain in the front knee area, which occurs especially in the sports listed above. As the disease progresses, it can also cause pain during everyday movements such as climbing stairs and carrying heavy loads. In a severe course, redness and swelling around the knee can be seen externally.
The disease is mainly treated conservatively. First of all, it is advisable to protect the affected knee and avoid the causing sport. Only slowly should appropriate physiotherapy and physiotherapy be started. Targeted training of the knee extensor and bender can significantly improve the course of the disease. In therapy, heat, cold and electrostimulation and special shock wave therapy are used to improve. If the conservative therapies do not bring success, the surgical method is used and the flammable tendon sliding tissue is removed.
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