Jumper's knee, patellar tendinopa‌thy, is a clinical term used to de‌scribe patellar tendon pain, swelling, and/or dysfunction. This condition is prevalent among athletes. In patients whom non-operative management is unsuccessful, surgery is an option to return to high levels of physical activity. Although open surgery is traditionally advocated, an arthroscopic approach may be safe and effective.

This aim of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic management of cases with chronic refractory patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee).

This is a prospective study that was done at Kafr El-Sheikh and Benha university hospital. 28 patients involved in sports activities with chronic patellar tendinitis aged 18-30 years with the mean age of 23.25 were considered to have arthroscopic treatment to refractory chronic patellar tendinopathy after at least 3 month of conservative treatment.

All patients underwent arthroscopic debridement of the Hoffa's bad fat and abnormal patellar tendon, with or without excision of the lower pole of the patella. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation was undertaken using VAS score, Lysholm Scores and VISA-P scores for all patients. No patients were lost to follow-up.

The VAS, Lysholm, and VISA-P scores all significantly improved at last follow-up. There were no postoperative complications. 27 patients of 28 were able to perform at their preinjury sports activities. One case was not able to return to preinjury sports activity.

Finally, arthroscopic surgery for patients with chronic patellar tendinopathy, refractory to non-operative management, appears to provide significant improvements in symptoms and function to achieve presymptom sporting level.