What you may feel
- Local pain just below the kneecap at the tendon.
- Jumping, running or stairs may aggravate the pain.
- Squatting or loading the bent knee can be painful.
- The tendon may feel stiff after sleep or rest.
- Pain may ease during warm-up but return after exercise.
How it is assessed
Assessment considers tendon tenderness, knee strength and training volume while checking other joint causes.
Explain how far you can walk, which footwear you use and which movements hurt. Mention recent injury or changes in activity.
Approaches to care
Rehabilitation centres on load adjustment and staged strengthening before returning to jumping.
Discuss realistic walking, work or exercise goals with your clinician. At follow-up, describe changes after activity and how long pain lasted.
When to seek urgent help
Inability to bear weight after injury, a hot red joint with fever, or a suddenly cold pale foot need urgent assessment.
Further reading: Kingston and Richmond NHS
This is educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Similar symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.