Basketball season is here, and so is jumper's knee

Published: Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 2:38 a.m.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I play basketball - a lot. My right knee has started to hurt. It hurts the most when I start to play, and then it eases off. My coach and dad say it is jumper's knee. My coach says to play through it. My dad says I should rest it. What do you say? - B.J.

Answer: Give me a break. What do you think I'm going to say? I side with your dad.

At the start of every basketball season, I get many letters asking about jumper's knee. It's a common malady of that sport, but it affects players in many other sports, like volleyball. The forces on the knees and the knee tendons when a jumper lands on the ground can be greater than nine times body weight. That's a great deal of force.

Jumper's knee is an inflammation of the tendon that runs from the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the lower leg bone. The inflammation comes from too much use with too little rest. It gradually builds up over two to three weeks before a player starts to complain. Early on, the knee hurts the most when a player starts to move around and gradually lessens as he or she continues to play. If you don't let the inflammation quiet down, the pain will worsen and last longer. At its worst, it is present even when you're sitting.

If you press on the area beneath the kneecap, you'll find it is tender if you have jumper's knee.

A week or two of rest is all that's needed in the early phases. Combining rest with Aleve, Advil or Motrin can speed the healing.

When you get back to playing, apply heat to the knee for 10 or 15 minutes before you start. After you play, ice it for the same amount of time.

I respect both your dad's and your coach's diagnostic abilities, but, if things don't turn around shortly, I'd have a doctor examine your knee. Too many other things cause similar pain.


Dear Dr. Donohue: I walk half an hour each morning. Lately, I have experienced chest pain, followed by gas and sometimes heartburn. The same thing happens when I shovel snow. I am 81 and do not take any medicines. I have had all the lung and heart tests without any problems showing up. What do you think this is? - F.O.

Answer: When you say "all the tests," does that include a stress test, the test taken while you walk ever faster on a treadmill and an EKG is constantly taken? If not, you need one. In fact, even if you have had a stress test, go back to the doctor. Undiagnosed chest pain that comes with exertion makes me leery of heart disease.


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