What Is Jumper's Knee?

Jumper's knee is an injury of the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is the cord-like tissue that joins the patella (kneecap) to the tibia (shinbone).

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Jumper's Knee?

Common symptoms of jumper's knee include:

  • pain below the kneecap, especially during sports, climbing stairs, and bending the knee
  • a swollen knee joint
  • knee stiffness

What Causes Jumper's Knee?

Jumper's knee is an overuse injury (when repeated movements injure a part of the body). It happens when frequent jumping, running, and changing direction damages the patellar tendon. It's also called patellar tendonitis.

Jumper's Knee 2

Who Gets Jumper's Knee?

Jumper's knee usually affects people who play sports where there is a lot of jumping and running, such as track and field, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, running, and soccer. 

How Is Jumper's Knee Diagnosed?

To diagnose jumper's knee, health care providers:

  • ask about symptoms
  • do a physical exam
  • order imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI, if needed

How Is Jumper's Knee Treated?

Treatment for jumper's knee includes:

  • rest and taking a break from sports
  • ice
  • taping or wearing a knee support or strap just under the patella
  • sitting with the leg raised
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or store brand) to help with pain and swelling
  • massage therapy
  • strengthening and stretching muscles through physical therapy or an at-home exercise program

If someone with jumper's knee does not rest the knee, the tendon can become more damaged. Although it is not common, surgery may be needed if:

  • the pain does not go away
  • the patellar tendon is more damaged than is typical with jumper's knee

Looking Ahead

It will probably take a few weeks to months for your child to recover from jumper's knee.

To help your child heal as quickly as possible, follow your health care provider's instructions about:

  • which activities to avoid
  • which activities are OK (for example, swimming may be fine while your child is healing)
  • strengthening exercises
  • making and keeping all follow-up doctor visits

After recovery, your child should always stretch before and after sports, and avoid overtraining. This can help prevent jumper's knee and other sports injuries too.

Back to Articles

Related Articles

A to Z: Patellar Dislocation

Patellar dislocation happens when the patella (kneecap) slips out of its normal position.

Read More

Knee Injury: Caroline's Story

Caroline loved sports. But when an ongoing knee injury kept her from playing the sports she loved, she discovered new interests. Read her story.

Read More

Meniscus Tears

The key to healing meniscus tears is not to get back into play too quickly. Find out what meniscus tears are and how to treat them.

Read More

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (or runner's knee) is the most common overuse injury among runners, but it can also happen to other athletes who do activities that require a lot of knee bending.

Read More

X-Ray Exam: Knee

A knee X-ray can help find the causes of pain, tenderness, swelling, or deformity of the knee, and detect broken bones or a dislocated joint.

Read More

Word! Joints

Joints are the places in your body where bones meet.

Read More

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries

MCL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids, when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

Read More

Bursitis

Bursitis, an irritation of the small fluid sacs that provide cushioning in some joints, is often caused by sports-related injuries or repeated use of a particular joint.

Read More

Knee Injuries

Healthy knees are needed for many activities and sports and getting hurt can mean some time sitting on the sidelines.

Read More

Sports and Exercise Safety

Playing hard doesn't have to mean getting hurt. The best way to ensure a long and injury-free athletic career is to play it safe from the start. Find out how.

Read More

Preventing Children's Sports Injuries

Participation in sports can teach kids sportsmanship and discipline. But sports also carry the potential for injury. Here's how to protect your kids.

Read More

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are common among young athletes. Learn about causes, treatments, and prevention.

Read More

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is an overuse injury that can cause knee pain in teens, especially during growth spurts. Learn more.

Read More

Bones, Muscles, and Joints

Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement.

Read More

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.

Read More

Your Bones

Where would you be without your bones? Learn more about the skeletal system in this article for kids.

Read More

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears

ACL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

Read More

Bones, Muscles, and Joints

Our bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities.

Read More

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.