Jumper’s Knee or Lander’s Knee? A Systematic Review of the Relation between Jump Biomechanics and Patellar Tendinopathy

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine 2014-07, Vol.35 (8), p.714-722
• Main Authors: Van der Worp, H., de Poel, H. J., Diercks, R. L., van den Akker-Scheek, I., Zwerver, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletic Injuries - etiology; Athletic Injuries - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Juxtaarticular diseases. Extraarticular rhumatism; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Patellar Ligament - injuries; Patellar Ligament - physiopathology; Plyometric Exercise; Review; Risk Factors; Tendinopathy - etiology; Tendinopathy - physiopathology; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0172-4622; 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1358674

Abstract Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee) is a common injury in sports that comprise jump actions. This article systematically reviews the literature examining the relation between patellar tendinopathy and take-off and landing kinematics in order to uncover risk factors and potential prevention strategies. A systematic search of the Pubmed, Embase and Amed databases was performed to identify studies that reported kinematics of sport specific jumps in relation to patellar tendinopathy. A quantitative analysis was performed on 4 indentified studies. Differences were found only between controls and asymptomatic subjects with patellar tendon abnormalities. Most differences were found during horizontal landing after forward acceleration. A synthesis of the literature suggests that horizontal landing poses the greatest threat for developing patellar tendinopathy. A stiff movement pattern with a small post-touchdown range of motion and short landing time is associated with the onset of patellar tendinopathy. Accordingly, employing a flexible landing pattern seems to be an expedient strategy for reducing the risk for (re-) developing patellar tendinopathy. Together, these findings indicate that improving kinetic chain functioning, performing eccentric exercises and changing landing patterns are potential tools for preventive and/or therapeutic purposes.