Is there a critical stage during puberty when basketball players develop abnormal structure in their patellar tendon?

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 20% of physically active adolescents have an abnormal patellar tendon observed on greyscale ultrasound, a known risk factor for tendinopathy. Most tendon pathology develops over life, but patellar tendon pathology appears to affect adolescents. It is unclear at what stage of skeletal maturity tendon abnormalities develop. Tendinopathy impacts a player’s ability to participate in sport, is persistent and recurrent. Identifying a critical time when the patellar tendon is vulnerable to developing abnormality may aid injury prevention strategies.