Patella tendonitis usually begins with a stiff feeling and pain in the patella tendon region which is just below the knee cap.

Symptoms may be worse when climbing stairs or squatting. It is common in athletes whose sport involves a lot of jumping; this condition is also known as jumper's knee.

Like most tendon injuries, it may go away once you get warmed up, but as the injury worsens, it will remain painful for the duration of physical activity.

Approx 22% incidence in general athletic population and approx 5% runners, more common in men than women.