Quadricep Tendonitis

Quadriceps tendonitis is an inflammation or microscopic injury to the tendon that connects the quadriceps muscles at the front of your thigh to your kneecap . It happens when this tendon is overused or stressed too much, often from activities like running, jumping, or squatting. This can cause small tears in the tendon, leading to pain, swelling, and tenderness right above the kneecap (Figure 1). It’s most likely to occur in athletes who do sports with a lot of jumping, running, or sudden changes in direction, like basketball or soccer. However, anyone can get it, especially if they suddenly increase how much they exercise or don’t warm up properly.

Diagnosing Quadriceps Tendonitis

Quadriceps tendonitis is diagnosed by a doctor who will ask about your symptoms and what activities you’ve been doing. They’ll check your knee for pain, swelling, and tenderness, especially just above the kneecap. They might ask you to bend or straighten your knee to see how it feels and whether certain movements cause pain. If the pain is severe or doesn’t get better, they might use imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI to get a closer look at the tendon and rule out other injuries.

Quadriceps Tendonitis Treatment

Quadriceps tendonitis is usually treated by resting your knee and avoiding activities that make the pain worse, like running or jumping. Applying ice to the area above your kneecap can help reduce swelling and pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication may also be taken to improve pain symptoms if needed. Stretching and strengthening exercises, often with the help of a physical therapist, can help the tendon heal and prevent the injury from coming back. Sometimes, a knee brace or support strap is used to take pressure off the tendon. Most people recover well with these treatments, but in rare cases, more advanced therapies or surgery might be needed.

Edited by Amari Eubanks and Stephen Pinney MD October 23rd, 2024