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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor may be able to determine that you have patellar tendinitis based on your signs and symptoms. If the diagnosis isn't as clear, he or she may conduct tests to rule out other conditions. Tests and examinations might include:
- Physical exam. Your doctor may apply pressure to different parts of your knee to determine exactly where you're experiencing pain. Pain associated with patellar tendinitis usually concentrates on the front part of your knee, just below your kneecap.
- Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create an image of your knee, revealing the location of tears in your patellar tendon.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create images that are more detailed than ultrasound images. MRI can reveal more subtle changes in the patellar tendon.
A combination of tests may help your doctor rule out other conditions that can cause knee pain similar to patellar tendinitis, such as:
- Pain behind your kneecap (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
- Tears in the cartilage (meniscus) that cushions your knee joint
- Breakdown of the cartilage underneath your kneecap (chondromalacia patella)
