Madeline Hannington1, Sean Docking2, Jill Cook3, Suzi Edwards4, Ebonie Rio5. 1. La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Australia. Electronic address: m.hannington@latrobe.edu.au. 2. La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Australia. Electronic address: s.docking@latrobe.edu.au. 3. La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Australia. Electronic address: j.cook@latrobe.edu.au. 4. School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: suzi.edwards@newcastle.edu.au. 5. La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Australia. Electronic address: e.rio@latrobe.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence and pain location of self-reported patellar tendinopathy and patellar tendon abnormality in a male elite basketball population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Pre-season tournament. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty male athletes from the Australian National Basketball League. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported patellar tendinopathy (PT) using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Questionnaire (OSTRC). Pain location using pain mapping (dichotomised: focal/diffuse) and severity during the single leg decline squat. Ultrasound tissue characterisation scans of both patellar tendons. RESULTS: Thirteen participants (22.7%) self-reported PT. Only 3 who reported PT had localised inferior pole pain. Thirty athletes reported pain during the decline squat, 15 described focal pain; 10 diffuse pain (5 missing data). Those with diffuse pain had greater years played [Md = 21 (13-24), n = 10 than focal pain (Md = 12 (7-26), n = 15), p = 0.042, r = 0.3]. Bilateral tendon abnormality was found in 45% of athletes and 15% had unilateral tendon abnormality. CONCLUSION: Elite male basketball athletes self-reporting PT had heterogeneity in pain location. When focal pain with loading was used as a primary definition of PT, 'jumpers' knee' was not common in this cohort. This study found that abnormality of the patellar tendon was common and did not correlate with symptoms.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence and pain location of self-reported patellar tendinopathy and patellar tendon abnormality in a male elite basketball population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Pre-season tournament. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty male athletes from the Australian National Basketball League. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported patellar tendinopathy (PT) using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Questionnaire (OSTRC). Pain location using pain mapping (dichotomised: focal/diffuse) and severity during the single leg decline squat. Ultrasound tissue characterisation scans of both patellar tendons. RESULTS: Thirteen participants (22.7%) self-reported PT. Only 3 who reported PT had localised inferior pole pain. Thirty athletes reported pain during the decline squat, 15 described focal pain; 10 diffuse pain (5 missing data). Those with diffuse pain had greater years played [Md = 21 (13-24), n = 10 than focal pain (Md = 12 (7-26), n = 15), p = 0.042, r = 0.3]. Bilateral tendon abnormality was found in 45% of athletes and 15% had unilateral tendon abnormality. CONCLUSION: Elite male basketball athletes self-reporting PT had heterogeneity in pain location. When focal pain with loading was used as a primary definition of PT, 'jumpers' knee' was not common in this cohort. This study found that abnormality of the patellar tendon was common and did not correlate with symptoms.