From the Guidelines
A patellar tendon strap is the recommended strap for patellar (kneecap) tendinitis, and it should be positioned just below the kneecap to provide targeted pressure and relief. The use of a patellar tendon strap is a common treatment approach for patellar tendinopathy, which causes activity-related anterior knee pain and occurs in athletes and nonathletes alike 1. This condition is often exacerbated by repetitive loading of the patellar tendon, and pain can be reproduced with a decline squat test.
Key Considerations for Using a Patellar Tendon Strap
- The strap should be worn snugly but not tight enough to restrict circulation during physical activities that cause pain, such as running, jumping, or climbing stairs.
- The most effective straps feature a small pad or cushion that applies targeted pressure to the patellar tendon, helping to redistribute forces away from the injured area.
- Use the strap consistently during activities for 4-6 weeks while the tendon heals, but don't rely on it as your only treatment.
- Complement the use of the strap with rest, ice after activity, gentle stretching of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and gradually strengthening the surrounding muscles once acute pain subsides.
Additional Treatment Approaches
- Eccentric exercise is recommended to reduce symptoms, increase strength, and promote tendon healing 1.
- Deep transverse friction massage is recommended to reduce pain, and corticosteroid iontophoresis is effective for treatment of patellar tendinosus pain and function 1. If pain persists despite using the strap correctly for several weeks, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Patellar Tendinitis
The treatment options for patellar tendinitis include:
- Conservative treatment: rest, physical therapy with eccentric exercises, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, glyceryl trinitrate, platelet-rich plasma injections, and ultrasound-guided sclerosis 2
- Injection therapies: platelet rich plasma, corticosteroids, autologous blood, and aprotinin 3
- Surgical treatment: open or arthroscopic debridement of the patellar tendon, longitudinal splitting of the tendon, excision of abnormal tissue, resection and drilling of the inferior pole of the patella, closure of the paratenon, shaving of the dorsal side of the proximal tendon, removal of the hypertrophic synovitis around the inferior patellar pole with a bipolar cautery system, and arthroscopic tendon debridement with excision of the distal pole of the patella 2, 4
Strap Used for Patellar Tendinitis
There is no specific mention of a strap used for patellar tendinitis in the provided studies. However, some studies mention the use of orthosis as a conservative treatment option 3.
Other Treatment Options
Other treatment options mentioned in the studies include:
- Eccentric exercises: painful eccentric squats using a 25°-decline board is supported as a first-line treatment 5
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy: seems to be a safe and promising treatment for patellar tendinopathy with a positive effect on pain and function 6
- Sclerosing injections: seem to be effective, but the evidence is not definitive 5