Conditions we diagnose and treat

Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee) Treatment in London

Available at LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London, Harrow (HA2 7SJ).

Patellar tendinopathy, often called jumper's knee, is pain in the tendon that joins the kneecap to the shin bone.

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GMC / FRCR Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist

It usually causes pain just below the kneecap and develops when the tendon is loaded more than it can cope with, particularly through jumping, landing and changing direction. It is common in basketball, volleyball, football, running and athletics, and can also affect people who have suddenly increased their training. At LSRI, Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, uses ultrasound to assess the tendon and rule out other causes of pain, and, where it is the right option for you, offers ultrasound-guided treatment alongside a structured loading programme.

Why choose LSRI

Consultant-led care from Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist with more than 20 years’ experience.
Diagnosis and ultrasound-guided treatment from the same specialist.
Two clinics: LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London in Harrow (HA2 7SJ).
No GP referral needed, and all major insurers accepted.
After Dr Sankaye has reported your scan, you can have a free 5-minute video consultation to go through the results.

Last medically reviewed by Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, on 2 October 2026.

Symptoms of patellar tendinopathy

Pain just below the kneecap, at the top of the tendon.
Pain when jumping, landing, squatting, kneeling or going down stairs.
Pain that may warm up and ease during exercise, then return afterwards or the next morning.
Stiffness in the front of the knee after rest.
Tenderness when pressing on the tendon.

If you feel a sudden pop at the front of the knee and cannot straighten your leg, or the knee is hot and swollen with a fever, seek urgent medical advice.

How we diagnose patellar tendinopathy

Diagnosis starts with your history and a knee examination. Dr Sankaye will check where you are tender and which movements, such as a single-leg squat, reproduce your pain.

Ultrasound shows thickening and changes in the tendon, small tears, and any increased blood flow within it. It is also useful for looking at nearby structures that can cause similar pain, such as the fat pad behind the tendon and the bursae around the knee.

Pain at the front of the knee is not always from the tendon. Irritation of the fat pad, problems with the joint behind the kneecap or a cartilage injury can feel similar. If the picture is unclear, an MRI can help. You can read about a case where a different cause was eventually found in our article on delayed diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy and Hoffa’s fat pad impingement.

What to expect at your appointment

Dr Sankaye reviews your symptoms, sport, training load and any previous scans or treatment.
He scans your knee with ultrasound, and arranges an X-ray or MRI if needed.
He explains the findings and discusses your options, including your loading programme.
If you decide to go ahead with a procedure, it is done under ultrasound guidance.
You receive aftercare advice and a written report, which can be shared with your GP, physiotherapist or coach.

Treatment options

A structured loading programme is the first and most important treatment. Tendons respond to gradual, progressive load, and this usually includes:

Load management: reducing jumping and other high-load activities to a level the tendon can tolerate, rather than stopping all activity.
Progressive strengthening: a physiotherapist-guided programme that typically starts with holding exercises to ease pain, builds to slow, heavy strengthening, and then moves back to running, jumping and sport-specific training.
Addressing contributing factors: such as training volume, surfaces, footwear and strength in the hips and calves.

Recovery is often gradual and can take months. If pain persists despite a well-structured programme, the options at LSRI include:

Tendon procedures: in selected cases, a high-volume injection under ultrasound guidance may be considered for long-standing tendon pain. The evidence is limited and it is used alongside, not instead of, rehabilitation.
PRP injection: platelet-rich plasma, from a small sample of your own blood, is sometimes used for persistent patellar tendinopathy. The evidence is mixed and still developing.
MSK specialist consultation: a detailed review of your symptoms, scans and previous treatment, with a clear plan.

Steroid is not injected into the patellar tendon, because of the risk of weakening it. Surgery is rarely needed and is usually only considered after a long period of well-structured rehabilitation. Dr Sankaye can advise when a sports orthopaedic surgeon’s opinion is worthwhile.

Questions about patellar tendinopathy

Should I stop playing sport?

Not always. Many people can keep training at a reduced level while following a loading programme. A useful guide is that pain during exercise should stay mild and settle by the next day. Your physiotherapist can help you set the right level.

Why can't I have a steroid injection into the tendon?

Steroid injected into a load-bearing tendon such as the patellar tendon can weaken it and increase the risk of rupture. Other options are used instead.

Do I need a scan?

Not everyone does, but a scan is helpful if the diagnosis is unclear, if symptoms are not improving, or if another cause of front-of-knee pain is suspected.

How long does recovery take?

Tendons adapt slowly, so recovery often takes months rather than weeks. Sticking with a progressive programme gives the best chance of a lasting return to sport.

Our clinics

Two clinics, one team

Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, sees patients at Harley Street in central London and at our Northwest London clinic in Harrow. Call one number to book at either clinic.