"Committed to Educate, Not Just Rehabilitate"

"Centre Court Tip"

The "Kneed" for Strong Muscles

The game of basketball is a fast moving contact sport that requires great agility and demands superior athleticism. The constant pounding of the knees on a hard court surface greatly taxes the muscles of the lower extremity. The quadriceps muscle has a crucial role in the performance of any basketball player. A common condition, "Jumper’s Knee" (Patella Tendonitis), develops because of weakness in the quadriceps muscle. The muscle is unable to absorb the constant shock of landing from a jump. As a result, these forces put excessive stress on the patella tendon. Eventually, the tendon fibres will tear and become inflamed. This effect will produce pain and diminished performance. It can also put the athlete at risk of a further, more serious knee injury.

It is critical to start to modify activities (with a restriction of NO jumping/pounding/twisting type of activities), to be icing the knee for 10-15 minutes 3-4 times/day, and to receive physiotherapy for the inflamed tendon. The use of anti-inflammatory medications is also helpful to reduce the inflammation and pain. The next step will be to start to strengthen the quadriceps muscles generally and in an eccentric manner. Eccentric strengthening means training a muscle to contract and lengthen at the same time. Lastly, the muscle should be strengthened in a sport specific manner to prepare it for the athlete’s return to basketball. Conditioning should be a priority throughout the rehabilitation program to expedite the return of the athlete to his/her sport.

Ignoring the warning signs of pain can lead to a more serious injury down the road. Always check with your trainer or sports medicine practitioner when it is safe to return to your sport. Remember, "No pain, no gain, is only for the INSANE".

N.B./ The above information is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Always consult your sports medicine practitioner for proper guidance and treatment.

Respectfully submitted,


Howard A. Winston
MD, CCFP, FCFP
Dip. Sport Med. (CASM)
Medical Director, The Centre for Health & Sports Medicine