Patellar tendinopathy. Prevalence, ESWT treatment and evaluation

PhD ceremony: Mr. J. Zwerver, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Patellar tendinopathy. Prevalence, ESWT treatment and evaluation

Promotor(s): prof. R.L. Diercks

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Patellar tendinopathy (formerly known as jumper’s knee) is a common and difficult-to-treat overuse injury of the patellar tendon with a very negative impact on the careers of many athletes. It appears to involve a failed healing process in the tendon, which has consequences for the treatment strategy. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, ultrasound-guided sclerosing of new vessels, and tendinous and peritendinous injections of aprotinin and autologous growth factors seem to be promising new treatment options.