TOTBİD Derleme Dergisi

TOTBİD Derleme Dergisi

2026, Cilt 25, Sayı, 1     (Sayfalar: 065-077)

Tendinopathies, stress fractures, and apophysitis around the knee in athletes

Elcil Kaya Biçer 1, Recep Selçuk Eyceyurt 2

1 Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Ana Bilim Dalı, İzmir
2 İzmir Şehir Hastanesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Kliniği, İzmir

DOI: 10.5578/totbid.derleme.dergisi.2026.10
Görüntüleme: 15
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İndirme : 6

Tendon structures around the knee, are particularly prone to overuse injuries in both growing individuals and highperformance athletes due to repetitive microtrauma, mechanical overload, and biomechanical imbalances. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies of peripatellar tendinopathies, stress fractures, and apophysitis in athletes, based on current literature. Apophyseal injuries such as Osgood-Schlatter disease and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease typically occur during the growth period as a result of traction forces acting on the open growth plate. Patellar and tibial tendinopathies mostly arise from overuse and muscletendon imbalance, whereas stress fractures develop when mechanical loading exceeds the bone`s remodeling capacity and may progress to complete fractures if not recognized early. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the most sensitive tool for diagnosis. Conservative treatment is effective in the majority of cases, although surgical intervention may be required in selected patients. Early recognition of these pathologies, appropriate load management, correction of biomechanical abnormalities, and the implementation of structured rehabilitation programs are essential to ensure a safe return to sport. Future research focusing on biologic therapies and pain neuromodulation may contribute to further advancements in treatment strategies.

Anahtar Kelimeler : athlete; tendinopathy; stress fracture; apophysitis