The use of a patellar strap in athletes with a jumper’s knee: A pilot study on the effect on symptoms, proprioception and tendon structure

Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a common painful overuse injury which often interferes with the sports career of jumping athletes. Orthoses like a patellar strap are commonly used to reduce pain and to remain active in sports. A recent study (de Vries et al, in preperation) showed that pain can decrease with the use of a patellar strap, but it is unknown if this positive effect can be found with another type of strap and what the effect on proprioception and tendon structure is. Furthermore, the relationship between the effectiveness of the use of a patellar strap and tendon structure is unclear.

A patellar strap reduces pain, has a positive effect on knee joint proprioception and tendon structure.

1. Baseline (after one control week, with athletic performance without orthosis)

2. After one week of athletic performance with the Genupoint patellar strap

Subjects visit the center for sports medicine two times.

During the first visit the patellar tendons of the participants are scanned using UTC and all subjects perform three functional tests (10 single leg decline squats, maximal vertical jump test and a triple hop test) and a proprioception test in two different conditions. The two conditions are: with patellar strap and a control condition. The order of the conditions is balanced between subjects. Directly after each test, the participant scores on a VAS pain scale the experienced pain during the test. Furthermore, the maximal vertical jump height and the distance covered in the triple hop test are documented.


After this visit, subjects wear the Genupoint patellar strap during sports for one week.


During the second visit (after one week of athletic performance with strap) the patellar tendons are again scanned using UTC. In addition participants fill out a questionnaire about the wearing comfort of the strap.