Delaware Physical Therapy Clinic
540 S. College Ave
Suite 160
Newark, DE 19713
302-831-8893
www.udptclinic.com
Rehab Practice Guidelines for: Patellar Tendinopathy
1
Diagnostic Hallmarks :
• Pain localized to inferior pole of patella
• Pain that increases with increased load on knee extensors, particularly during plyometric type activities involving the
knee (e.g. jumping)
1
Differential Diagnosis :
• Fat pad irritation
• Patellofemoral pain
• Joint pain
• Growth plate injuries in pediatric population
Assessment to include:
• Single leg decline squat test
2,3
o perform 2 single leg squats from 0-50° on decline board (angle 25°)
o rate pain 0-10
• Thorough kinetic chain assessment, including jumping, hopping and squatting mechanics
• Quadriceps strength testing
o Using mechanical dynamometer at 60°, or angle of comfort if painful
o Use Burst super imposition technique if appropriate; use clinical judgment and monitor pain
• Hip strength testing (with hand-held dynamometer)
• Outcome Measure: VISA-P
4
5
Use Pain Monitoring Model for Progression:
• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 0-10
No pain Worst pain imaginable
0 2 5 10
Safe Acceptable
High risk zone
Zone Zone
• The pain is allowed to reach 5/10 on the VAS during exercises
• The pain after the whole exercise program is allowed to reach 5/10 on the VAS but should subside to baseline by the
following morning
• Baseline pain is not allowed to increase from week to week
Phase Initiate when: Treatment Ideas Dosage and Progression
6,7
Phase I: Pain with isotonic -Isometric exercises: -Isometrics: 5x45” holds
Acute loading is >5/10 Knee Extension between 30-60° -Perform daily if pain returns to
Spanish Squats between 45-90° baseline
Wall Sits between 45-90°
-Address hip strength deficits as
indicated
-Noxious stim protocol^
-NMES* to the quadriceps if QI<80%
University of Delaware Rehab Practice Guidelines
Updated July 2016 -1-
Phase II: Pain with isotonic -Isotonic exercises -All exercises performed: bilaterally,
Recovery loading is <5/10 Knee Extension every other day
Sit to Stands
-Heavy Slow Resistance (HSR) -HSR: 3-4 sets, progress from 15 RM
8
training : 6RM, 90-0°, complete with 3 sec
Leg Press eccentric phase, 3 sec concentric
Squat phase
Hack Squat
-Continue hip strengthening, noxious -Can continue Phase I exercises on
stim and NMES as indicated off days
Phase III: Tolerating decline -Progress Phase II exercises -Progress Phase II exercises to
Rebuilding squat of involved eccentric (2 up, 1 down) then
limb with <5/10-Add: unilateral
pain Split Squat
Step-Downs (Lateral & Forward) -Progress 3x8 3x15
Isokinetics (concentric/eccentric)
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-Decline Squat Program -Decline Squat Program: 3x15, 1x/day
Phase IV: Tolerating load -Jump/Landing training -Progressively increase volume and
Return to with plyometric -Acceleration then intensity
Activity activities that -Deceleration -Progress through training drills then
replicate training -Cutting full competition
demands -Sport specific training
MVIC: Maximum voluntary isometric contraction, NMES: Neuromuscular electric stimulation, QI: Quad Index, HSR:
Heavy slow resistance
^Noxious stim protocol: Pulse width >150us, frequency >50 pps, 2 sec ramp, 12 sec on, 8 sec off, 10-15 min total, max
tolerance (aim for 3x sensory threshold)
*NMES Guidelines:
• Electrodes placed over proximal lateral quadriceps and distal medial quadriceps.
• Stimulation parameters: 400 us (2500Hz), 75 pps, 2 sec ramp, 12 sec on, 50 sec off, intensity to max tolerable[at
least 50% MVIC, 10 contractions per session, continue until quadriceps strength MVIC is 80% of uninvolved.
• Stimulation performed isometrically at 60°, or angle of comfort if painful.
References
1. Malliaras P, Cook J, Purdam C, Rio E. Patellar Tendinopathy: Clinical Diagnosis, Load Management, and Advice for Challenging Case
Presentations. J Orthop Sport Phys Ther. 2015;45(11):1-33. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5987.
2. Purdam CR, Cook JL, Hopper DM, et al. Discriminative ability of functional loading tests for adolescent jumper’s knee. Phys Ther Sport.
2003;4(1):3-9. doi:10.1016/S1466-853X(02)00069-X.
3. Mendonça et al. - 2016 - The Accuracy of VISA-P Questionnaire, Single-Leg Decline Squat and Tendon Pain History to Identify Patellar Te.pdf.
4. Visentini PJ, Khan KM, Cook JL, Harcourt PR WJ. The VISA score: an index of the severity of jumper’s knee (patellar tendinosis). J Sci Med
Sport. 1998;1:22-8.
5. Silbernagel KG, Thomeé R, Eriksson BI, Karlsson J. Continued sports activity, using a pain-monitoring model, during rehabilitation in patients
with Achilles tendinopathy: a randomized controlled study. Am J Sports Med. 2007;35(6):897-906. doi:10.1177/0363546506298279.
6. Rio E, Kidgell D, Purdam C, et al. Isometric exercise induces analgesia and reduces inhibition in patellar tendinopathy. Br J Sport Med.
2015;49:1277-1283. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094386.
7. van Ark M, Cook JL, Docking SI, et al. Do isometric and isotonic exercise programs reduce pain in athletes with patellar tendinopathy in-season?
A randomised clinical trial. J Sci Med Sport. 2015. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2015.11.006.
8. Kongsgaard M, Kovanen V, Aagaard P, et al. Corticosteroid injections, eccentric decline squat training and heavy slow resistance training in
patellar tendinopathy. Scand J Med Sci Sport. 2009;19(6):790-802. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00949.x.
9. Young M a, Cook JL, Purdam CR, Kiss ZS, Alfredson H. Eccentric decline squat protocol offers superior results at 12 months compared with
traditional eccentric protocol for patellar tendinopathy in volleyball players. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39(2):102-105. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2003.010587.
This Clinical Guideline may need to be modified to meet the needs of a specific patient.
The model should not replace clinical judgment.
University of Delaware Rehab Practice Guidelines
Updated July 2016 -2-
Decline Squat Test 1 Spanish Squat Lateral Hack Squat
Decline Squat Test 2 Spanish Squat Anterior Hack Squat
