Patellar Tendon Pain: Load Management and Progressive Strengthening

Patellar tendon pain is often felt just below the kneecap and may be aggravated by jumping, running, squatting or stairs. Symptoms can develop when the tendon is being asked to tolerate more load than its current capacity allows.

Reduce overload, not all activity

A useful early strategy is often to reduce or modify the activities that provoke a large symptom flare while maintaining comfortable movement and general activity. Long periods of complete rest can reduce muscle and tendon capacity, making return to activity harder.

Progressive strengthening is central

Rehabilitation can begin with tolerable isometric or simpler strengthening and progress toward squats, knee-extension work, step tasks, heavier resistance and eventually jumping or sport-specific loading. The correct starting level depends on irritability and current capacity.

Use symptom response to guide progression

Some discomfort during rehabilitation can be acceptable, but repeated large flare-ups are a sign that the current dose may be too high. Progress volume, resistance and speed gradually and monitor how the tendon responds later that day and the following day.

MSF pathway: the Patellar Tendon Recovery Kit can progress from symptom regulation into structured strengthening, control and return-to-running or sport work where appropriate.