Knee pain is one of the most common complaints for runners, athletes, and active individuals. If you’ve ever felt a nagging ache at the front of your knee or sharp pain just below your kneecap, you might be dealing with either Runner’s Knee or Jumper’s Knee. While the names sound similar, these conditions affect different parts of the knee and require different approaches to treatment.
At Highland Spine and Sport in Roanoke, VA, we specialize in diagnosing and treating sports injuries like patellar tendon pain, helping you recover quickly and safely so you can get back to doing what you love.
What Is Runner’s Knee? (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)
Runner’s Knee—also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome—is irritation around or behind the kneecap.
Symptoms of Runner’s Knee include:
- Dull, aching pain around the front of the knee
- Discomfort when running, climbing stairs, or squatting
- Knee stiffness or pain after sitting for long periods (“movie theater knee”)
- Pain that increases after activity rather than during
Causes of Runner’s Knee:
- Muscle imbalances in the hips and thighs
- Poor tracking of the kneecap
- Overuse from running or repetitive activities
- Weak core and hip stability
👉 If left untreated, Runner’s Knee can sideline you from your workouts and races.
What Is Jumper’s Knee? (Patellar Tendinopathy)
Jumper’s Knee—also called patellar tendinopathy—affects the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone. It’s especially common in basketball, volleyball, soccer, and athletes who jump, sprint, or lift heavy.
Symptoms of Jumper’s Knee include:
- Sharp pain just below the kneecap
- Tenderness when pressing on the patellar tendon
- Stiffness that improves with movement but worsens with jumping or sprinting
- Pain when squatting or lunging
Causes of Jumper’s Knee:
- Repetitive stress on the patellar tendon
- Sudden increase in training load or intensity
- Muscle tightness and weakness around the knee and hips
- Poor recovery between training sessions
👉 Ignoring patellar tendon pain can turn a short-term issue into a chronic injury.
Patellar Tendon Pain Treatment at Highland Spine and Sport
At Highland Spine and Sport, we use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to treat patellar tendon pain and help you return to running, training, or competing.
Your recovery plan may include:
- Detailed Assessment & Diagnosis – Identifying whether your knee pain is due to Runner’s Knee, Jumper’s Knee, or another issue
- Soft Tissue Therapy – Active Release Techniques (ART), dry needling, cupping, or instrument-assisted therapy to reduce irritation and restore mobility
- Chiropractic Adjustments – Restoring proper movement in the hips, knees, and ankles to reduce stress on the tendon
- Sports Rehab & Strengthening – Evidence-based exercises, including eccentric and heavy slow resistance (HSR) loading for tendon recovery
- Education & Training Modifications – Guidance on adjusting your workouts so you can stay active while healing
Our goal is simple: get you out of pain and back to running, training, and competing at your highest level.
Tips to Prevent Runner’s Knee and Jumper’s Knee
- Warm up before workouts and stretch after activity
- Strengthen your hips, quads, and core to support knee alignment
- Avoid sudden spikes in mileage, jumping, or lifting volume
- Use proper footwear with good support
- Address knee pain early before it becomes a long-term problem
Get Relief From Patellar Tendon Pain in Roanoke, VA
Don’t let Runner’s Knee or Jumper’s Knee slow you down. At Highland Spine and Sport, we provide customized care for runners, athletes, and active individuals dealing with patellar tendon pain. Whether you need hands-on treatment, a personalized rehab program, or expert advice on training modifications, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to learn more about Highland Spine + Sport?
