Patellar Tendinitis vs Osgood-Schlatter – Knee Pain Treatment in East Auckland

Front of knee pain? Here’s what you need to know.

Pain at the front of the knee is a common issue we see at East Auckland Physiotherapy, especially in active adults and growing adolescents. Two of the most common causes are:

• Patellar Tendinitis (Patellar Tendinopathy / Jumper’s Knee)

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

Although they may feel similar, these conditions are very different and require different treatment approaches.

At Care Rehab Physio East Auckland, we specialise in accurate diagnosis and tailored rehabilitation to get you back to sport and daily activities safely.

What is Patellar Tendinitis (Tendinopathy)?

Patellar tendinopathy is an overuse injury affecting the patellar tendon, which connects your kneecap to your shinbone.

👉 Common in:

• Basketball

• Volleyball

• Running

• Gym training

Symptoms:

• Pain just below the kneecap

• Pain during jumping, squatting, or stairs

• Stiffness after activity

• Gradual onset (not usually sudden injury)

What is Osgood-Schlatter Disease?

Osgood-Schlatter is a growth-related condition affecting adolescents, where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibial tuberosity.

👉 Common in:

• Teenagers (10–15 years old)

• Active kids during growth spurts

Symptoms:

• Pain at the bony bump below the knee

• Swelling and tenderness

• Pain with running, jumping, kneeling

• Visible “bump” at the front of the knee

Key Differences

Feature	Patellar Tendinopathy	Osgood-Schlatter
Age group	Adults / older teens	Younger adolescents
Cause	Tendon overload	Growth-related traction
Pain location	Just below kneecap	Tibial tuberosity (bump)
Onset	Gradual	During growth spurts
Lump present	No	Yes (often visible)

👉 Correct diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Why Physiotherapy is Important

Without proper management, both conditions can lead to:

• Persistent knee pain

• Reduced sports performance

• Long-term tendon issues

👉 Physiotherapy focuses on load management, strength, and gradual return to activity.

Our Treatment Approach

At our East Auckland clinic, we tailor treatment based on your condition, age, and activity level.

1. Pain Management & Load Modification

• Activity modification (reduce aggravating activities)

• Education on training load

• Electrotherapy (IFC/TENS) for pain relief

• Acupuncture / Dry Needling to reduce muscle tightness

2. Restore Mobility

• Quadriceps and hamstring flexibility

• Hip and ankle mobility

• Ultrasound therapy to support tissue healing

3. Strengthening Programme

For Patellar Tendinopathy:

• Progressive loading (isometric → isotonic → plyometric)

• Quadriceps strengthening

• Heavy slow resistance training

For Osgood-Schlatter:

• Gentle strengthening

• Avoid excessive tendon loading early

• Gradual progression as symptoms settle

4. Biomechanics & Movement Correction

• Running and jumping technique

• Hip and knee alignment

• Landing mechanics

5. Return to Sport

• Gradual return to training

• Sport-specific drills

• Load monitoring to prevent flare-ups

Advanced Treatments Available

We offer additional therapies to support recovery:

Shockwave Therapy (for Patellar Tendinopathy)

• Evidence-based for chronic tendon pain

• Stimulates tendon healing

Electrotherapy (IFC, TENS, NMES)

• Pain relief

• Muscle activation

Dry Needling

• Reduces quadriceps tightness

• Improves pain and movement

Acupuncture

• Assists with pain and inflammation

• Supports recovery

Ultrasound Therapy

• Promotes tissue healing

• Reduces inflammation

How Long Does Recovery Take?

• Patellar tendinopathy: 6–12+ weeks

• Osgood-Schlatter: varies with growth (months), managed with activity modification

👉 Early treatment leads to faster recovery.

When Should You See a Physio?

You should seek physiotherapy if you have:

• Ongoing knee pain with sport

• Pain affecting performance

• Swelling or tenderness below the knee

• Pain in a growing child or teenager

Why Choose Care Rehab Physio East Auckland?

• Accurate diagnosis of knee conditions

• Individualised rehabilitation programmes

• Expertise in sports injuries and adolescent conditions

• Access to advanced treatments (shockwave, dry needling, acupuncture, electrotherapy)

• Focus on long-term recovery and prevention

Book Your Appointment Today

If you or your child are experiencing front knee pain, don’t ignore it.

👉 Our East Auckland physiotherapy team will help you recover safely and return to sport with confidence.

Book your appointment today.