Definition:

Symptoms:

• Movement of the patella further up the quadriceps
• An indentation at the bottom of your kneecap where the patellar tendon tore
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Cramping
• You are unable to straighten your knee
• Difficulty walking due to the knee buckling or giving way

Causes:

• Direct impact to the front of the knee
• Fall onto knee
• Landing from a jump where knee is bent and foot is planted
• Tendon weakness (patellar tendinitis, chronic disease, steroid use)

Treatment:

• Possible surgical intervention
• Progress to ROM and stretching
• Knee stabilization exercises
• Lower extremity strengthening