Male and female adolescent athletes develop patellar tendon abnormalities at different maturity stages: a longitudinal study of 173 athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Patellar tendon abnormalities have been reported to occur in adolescent athletes who load the patellar tendon. The adolescent growth spurt has been suggested as a critical time-point for the formation of a healthy patellar tendon. Presence of a patellar tendon abnormality has been identified as a risk factor for the development of pain and dysfunction in later life. This longitudinal study aims to investigate factors associated with the development of patellar tendon abnormality during the critical time period of adolescence.