Patellar tendinitis, also called jumper's knee, is an overuse injury that can affect all athletes, including cyclists. In people with this injury, the patellar tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress. Here are four things cyclists need to know about patellar tendinitis.

How does cycling cause it?

The patellar tendon connects your quadriceps (thigh muscle) to your tibia (shin bone). The tendon runs across the top of your patella (knee cap). This tendon's role is to help you straighten your leg, so every time you extend your legs to push your petals, your patellar tendons are hard at work. Long rides can irritate your tendon, but your bike can also play a role.

A poorly-adjusted saddle can contribute to the development of patellar tendinitis. If your saddle is too low, you won't be able to extend your leg properly, and your knee will remain at a tight angle as you pedal. This tight angle puts stress on your entire knee, including your tendon. To protect your knees, have your saddle professional adjusted.

What are the signs of patellar tendinitis?

If you develop patellar tendinitis, you'll notice pain in your knee; this pain is generally located just below the knee, in between the kneecap and the top of the shinbone. At first, you may only notice the pain right at the beginning of your ride or immediately following an intense ride. Eventually, the condition worsens, and the pain will make it hard for you to keep riding your bike.

Is this injury serious?

Patellar tendinitis is a serious injury, so don't try to push through the pain. If you continue riding, the inflammation will continue to get worse, and it will start to get in the way of your daily activities, not just your workouts. People with severe patellar tendinitis have trouble doing every day things like getting out of their chairs or going up a flight of stairs, so if you don't get treatment, your cycling days may be numbered.

How is patellar tendinitis treated?

Most of the time, patellar tendinitis can be treated with conservative therapies like icing the sore area. Activity modification is essential, so you'll need to avoid cycling as well as any other activities that could further aggravate your knee, like jumping or squatting.

Physiotherapy can also be helpful; during your sessions, you'll be taught how to stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles to protect your tendon.

If your knee hurts while you're riding your bike, stop cycling and see a sports medicine doctor or specialist like Lynwood Physiotherapy right away.