Jumper's Knee Workup

  • Author: Garrett Scott Hyman, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 1, 2011
 

Laboratory Studies

  • The diagnosis of jumper's knee is based on the history and clinical findings. Laboratory and imaging tests are rarely necessary.
  • Laboratory studies are not indicated unless other potential causes, such as systemic, inflammatory, or metabolic disease, must be ruled out.
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Imaging Studies

  • Radiographic imaging is not necessary to make the diagnosis of jumper's knee. Such imaging may be helpful for excluding other potential maladies.
  • Certain imaging findings do support the diagnosis. For instance, ultrasonography may show thickening and hypoechogenicity of tendon fibers.[15] Signs of hypervascularity may be seen with color Doppler ultrasonography. Plain x-ray may show a radiolucency at, or elongation of, the involved pole.
  • Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both highly sensitive for detecting tendon abnormalities in both symptomatic and asymptomatic athletes.[16, 17, 18, 19, 20] Therefore, a significant number of false-positive results makes routine testing impractical. The advent of less expensive, portable, musculoskeletal ultrasonography units, may allow for more liberal screening in some organizations.
  • Ultrasonography combined with color or power Doppler may demonstrate peritendinous neovascularization.[17, 18] Some investigators advocate sclerosing injections that target this neovascularization as a treatment for jumper's knee.[17, 21]
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Other Tests

  • None are required.
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Procedures

  • None are required.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Garrett Scott Hyman, MD, MPH  Consulting Physician, Northwest Spine and Sports Physicians, PC; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington

Garrett Scott Hyman, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, and North American Spine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Gerard A Malanga, MD  Director of Pain Management, Overlook Hospital; Director of PM&R Sports Medicine Fellowship, Atlantic Health; Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School; Clinical Chief, Rehabilitation Medicine and Electrodiagnosis, St Michael's Medical Center; Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine

Gerard A Malanga, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, International Spine Intervention Society, and North American Spine Society

Disclosure: Cephalon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Endo Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Genzyme Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Prostakan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

Irfan Alladin, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey

Irfan Alladin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Leslie Milne, MD  Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard University School of Medicine

Leslie Milne, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Russell D White, MD  Professor of Medicine, Director of Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, Medical Director, Sports Medicine Center, Head Team Physician, University of Missouri-Kansas City Intercollegiate Athletic Program, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center Lakewood

Russell D White, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Sports Medicine, American Diabetes Association, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Craig C Young, MD  Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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The proximal patellar tendon is most commonly affected in jumper's knee.
 
 
 
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