{"id":28090,"date":"2026-04-30T12:00:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T12:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/?p=28090"},"modified":"2026-05-04T13:42:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:42:55","slug":"douleur-sous-la-rotule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/douleur-sous-la-rotule\/","title":{"rendered":"Pain below the kneecap: common causes and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Understanding pain below the kneecap<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&nbsp;<strong>pain below the kneecap<\/strong>&nbsp;is a common complaint, especially among athletes and active people. It is located just below the kneecap, at the point where the&nbsp;<strong>patellar tendon<\/strong>, an essential structure of the knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This pain often appears during exertion, such as jumping, running, or changing direction. It can also develop gradually, becoming bothersome in daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding the origin of a&nbsp;<strong>pain below the kneecap<\/strong>&nbsp;allows for the implementation of appropriate treatment and prevents worsening, particularly towards chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The role of the patellar tendon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>THE&nbsp;<strong>patellar tendon<\/strong>&nbsp;It connects the kneecap to the tibia. It transmits the force of the quadriceps and allows for knee extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is a structure in high demand, particularly during:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>jumps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>of the race<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>explosive movements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Repeated overloading can lead to tendon irritation and may then cause a&nbsp;<strong>pain below the kneecap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The most frequent causes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Patellar tendinitis<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>There&nbsp;<strong>patellar tendinitis<\/strong>&nbsp;is the main cause of pain below the kneecap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is common among athletes who practice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>basketball<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>volleyball<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the race<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We sometimes talk about&nbsp;<strong>\u201cjumper\u2019s knee\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>localized pain below the kneecap<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pain during exertion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sensitivity to touch<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mechanical overload<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>pain below the kneecap<\/strong>&nbsp;may appear after:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a too rapid return to sport<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>intensive training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a lack of recovery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, it is a tendon irritation related to overuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Muscle imbalances<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>An imbalance between the muscles of the knee can increase stress on the patellar tendon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>weak quadriceps<\/strong>&nbsp;Poor coordination can contribute to the onset of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Alignment disorders<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Misalignment of the kneecap or lower limb can also cause tendon overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The characteristic symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>pain below the kneecap<\/strong>&nbsp;exhibits typical characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It appears often:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>to the effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>during the jumps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>uphill or downhill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can evolve gradually, becoming more frequent and more intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Signs to watch for<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to consult if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the pain persists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>it is getting worse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>it limits the activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/gonflement-du-genou-apres-sport\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"28042\"><strong>knee swelling<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>appears<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chronic pain may indicate more advanced tendon damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to do in case of pain under the kneecap?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first measures<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>relative rest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>application of&nbsp;<strong>ice<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reduction of painful activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These actions help to limit inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The importance of rehabilitation<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>There&nbsp;<strong>knee rehabilitation<\/strong>&nbsp;is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It allows you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>strengthen the quadriceps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>improve coordination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reduce stress on the tendon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adapting your activity<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>It is advisable to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>avoid impactful activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prioritize appropriate exercises<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gradually resume<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The role of diagnosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>clinical examination<\/strong>&nbsp;allows us to identify the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tests may be prescribed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>X-ray<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Knee MRI<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What treatments?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment is usually conservative:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>physiotherapy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>muscle strengthening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>adaptation of activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/traitement-non-chirurgical-hanche-genou\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">infiltrations<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>specific treatments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How long does it take to heal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recovery depends on the stage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>start: a few weeks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>chronic form: several months<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mistakes to avoid<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>continue playing sports despite the pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>resume too soon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>neglecting rehabilitation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Preventing pain under the kneecap<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Prevention is based on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a good&nbsp;<strong>warm-up<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A&nbsp;<strong>muscle strengthening<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an appropriate progression<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A common pain among athletes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There&nbsp;<strong>pain below the kneecap<\/strong>&nbsp;is common, but it can be treated effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pain under the kneecap is often related to the patellar tendon<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tendonitis is the main cause<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>rehabilitation is essential<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early intervention prevents the condition from becoming chronic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pain under the kneecap is often related to the patellar tendon or overuse. Discover the causes and solutions for effective relief.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[104],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28090","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comprendre-informer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28090","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28090"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28090\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28749,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28090\/revisions\/28749"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}