[Patellar tendinopathy ('jumper's knee'); a common and difficult-to-treat sports injury].
Patellar tendinopathy is a common and difficult-to-treat overuse injury of the patellar tendon with a very negative impact on the careers of many athletes. It appears to involve a failed healing process in the tendon--not inflammation--and has consequences for the treatment strategy. Rehabilitation programs are based on the principles of load reduction and an eccentric exercise program to improve muscle-tendon function and optimize the kinetic chain. Prolonged rehabilitation is necessary because of slow tendon recovery. Anti-inflammatory treatment is often unsuccessful. Surgery does not guarantee a quick symptom-free return to sport at the original level either. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy, ultrasound-guided sclerosing of new vessels and tendinous and peritendinous injections of aprotinin and autologous growth factors seem to be promising new treatment options.
Zwerver
J
J
Universitair Sportmedisch Centrum Groningen, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen. j.zwerver@sport.umcg.nl
D001182:Arthroscopy; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color