Patellar Ligament

Authors
Affiliations

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Patellar Tendon Reflex

The “patellar tendon reflex” refers to a muscle stretch reflex of the quadriceps muscles, it is not testing the golgi tendon reflex of the patellar tendon.

Patellar tendon release

  • Use your thumb to press at the inferior joint line of the PFJ and pressing deep to the patella1.
  • Use your opposite hand to glide the patella inferiorly, but superficial to your treatment hand1.
  • First use this as an assessment to determine which areas are tender to palpate for the patient or swollen (“cloudy”) to your touch1.
Caution

This technique is uncomfortable and makes the knee feel vulnerable for many patients, but can result in much relief, especially for patients with patellar tendinitis1.

Dysfunction

Patellar Tendinopathy

Patellar tendinopathy

1.
Jones B. B Project Foundations. b Project; 2025.

Citation

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