The Burden and Risk Factors of Patellar and Achilles Tendinopathy in Youth Basketball: A Cohort Study

This study aimed at evaluating the burden and risk factors of patellar and Achilles tendinopathy among youth basketball players. Patellar and Achilles tendinopathy were prospectively monitored in 515 eligible male and female youth basketball players (11–18 years) through a competitive season. Overall, the season prevalence of patellar tendinopathy was 19.0% (95% CI: 15.7–22.7%), 23.2% (95% CI: 18.6–28.2%) in males and 12.5% (95% CI: 8.3–17.9%) in females. The season prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy was 4.3% (95% CI: 2.7–6.4%), 4.1% (95% CI: 2.2–7.0%) in males and 4.5% (95% CI: 2.1–8.4%) in females. Median proportion of symptoms duration was 83% of average total weeks of basketball exposure for patellar tendinopathy and 75% for Achilles tendinopathy. Median time to patellar tendinopathy onset was 8 weeks for male players and 6 weeks for female players. Higher odds of patellar tendinopathy risk were seen in males (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.10–4.69) and players with previous anterior knee pain had significantly elevated odds (OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 4.58–16.89). The burden and risk of patellar tendinopathy is high among competitive youth basketball players. Risk factors include sex and previous anterior knee pain. These findings provide directions for practice and future research.