Exercises and Physical Therapy

• For the first two to three days after the injury occurs, ice the knee for 20 to 30 minutes every three to four hours. Do this until the pain in the tendon diminishes. You should also keep your knee elevated with a pillow. During this time, while the tendon is healing, you may be told to refrain from certain physical activities which place strain on the knee, especially running or jumping. Physical therapy exercises and stretches will be recommended by a doctor and will include low impact activities.
  
  

Support Devices

• While the knee is healing, and as a follow-up to prevent re-injuring the tendon, your doctor may recommend support devices. Orthotics are one commonly recommended device. Orthotics are an insert worn in your shoes to ensure proper pronation (pronation is the process that occurs when you walk in which your heel touches the floor, and then weight is distributed and your foot arches). An infrapatellar strap may also be recommended. This is worn beneath the kneecap to protect the tendon. A neoprene knee sleeve is another alternative to the infrapatellar strap, which also supports the knee and tendon.
  
  

Drug Therapy and Surgery

• Typically, over the counter anti-inflammatory medications called NSAIDs are advised to manage the pain associated with tendonitis in the knee. In rare cases, when the pain is persistent and the tendon does not heel after physical therapy and support devices are used, surgery may be recommended to repair the tendon.