Jumper's Knee

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Constant knee pain can sideline you — whether you’re an avid athlete, enjoy power walking or just want to move about comfortably.

Without treatment, jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis), might get worse. Yes, it could happen when you jump. But it can also cause your knee to ache when you walk, run, climb steps or just sit down on the couch. Not being able to do the simplest things without wincing can get pretty frustrating.

Our experienced orthopaedic and sports medicine specialists understand that jumper’s knee can hurt a lot and limit how much you can move around. We’re here to help you find relief. At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll get personalized treatment and rehabilitation so you can get back to jumping, running, climbing and walking — pain-free.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Jumper’s Knee Care?

Caring approach:

We know how much knee pain can derail your daily activities or athletic goals. That’s why our skilled team focuses on you and your needs. We offer compassionate, personalized treatment so you can get back to moving like you used to.

Specialized knowledge:

Our team is highly trained in orthopaedic injuries. We treat active individuals and athletes of all ages, in all sports. Sports medicine specialists, rehabilitation experts and trainers work together to help you get relief from knee pain as quickly and safely as possible. Meet our team.

Industry leaders:

Our healthcare providers have pioneered new therapies, technologies and surgical techniques for orthopaedic care worldwide. We have a long history of delivering excellent results. You can trust us to provide complete care that makes a difference for your knee pain.

Virtual visits:

If getting in to see your provider is tough, that’s OK. Not all appointments need to be in person. Virtual visits let you meet one-on-one with your providers using a smartphone, tablet or computer — all from the comfort of home.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Diagnosing Jumper’s Knee at Cleveland Clinic

What to expect at your first visit

Your story is an important part of diagnosis and treatment. We want to hear how your knee pain is affecting you. That’s why we’ll spend some time going over how long you’ve had pain, where you’re having it and how it’s been keeping you from moving around easily.

We’ll also do a physical exam to see how your knee moves and if you have any other issues that could be contributing to your pain. We may also do some imaging tests, like:

Meet Our Jumper’s Knee Team

Jumper’s knee is sometimes mistaken for other knee conditions, so it’s important to work with skilled healthcare providers who have experience diagnosing and treating jumper’s knee. At Cleveland Clinic, our expert orthopaedists will lead your team, which could also include:

Providers Who Treat Jumper's Knee

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Jumper's Knee Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

Once we confirm that you have jumper’s knee, we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that focuses on you, your needs and goals. If we can avoid surgery, we do. Many times, you can even treat jumper’s knee at home. Treatments could include:

RICE method

Depending on how bad your symptoms are, you may be able to use the RICE method to treat your knee. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression (using an elastic bandage) and elevation (resting with your knee higher than your heart). Your provider may also suggest you take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.

Physical therapy

Our specially trained physical therapists do targeted exercises and stretches with you that promote healing and long-term knee health. We use the latest rehabilitation equipment and therapies. Our goal is to help you get full use of your knee again.

Bracing

We may recommend a brace to support your kneecap while you move and take stress off of your lower leg and knee.

Surgery

For long-term or really bad jumper’s knee pain caused by structural issues with your body and knee, you may need surgery. We may have to repair tendons connected to your kneecap, remove damaged bone or cartilage or move tendons to realign your knee. We usually won’t do surgery until we try other treatments first.

Taking the Next Step

A knee injury can be painful — and frustrating. It can slow you down and keep you from exercising, playing sports or even just walking around the house. When you come to Cleveland Clinic for jumper’s knee, we’ll help you meet your goals with personalized treatment and rehab. And we’ll keep your knee’s long-term health in mind every step of the way.