Jumpers Knee

Question
Dear Mr. Rainey,

I was diagnosed with patellar tendonittis about 7 months ago after a game of basketball. I layed off my legs for a little then once i thought the pain was gone i played again and the pain came back with force. I saw an orthopedic physician who perscribed me physical therapy. i did it for about a month still pain would keep coming back when i would play basketball due to the lateral explosions. About a month ago i had a PRP injection done to me. Its only been a month and i still feel the pain. Not sure if its been long enough for the injection to complete healing. How ever i am currently doing self physical therapy due to a high co-payment i have. I do leg press, calf raises, sqauts, hamstring curls, and i also run stairs and run for cardio. I wanted to know if those excersises are fine to do or will that keep me from healing and if so what should i stay away from doing and my Biggest question of all. How long should i stay away from basketball to ensure i heal my tendon. Ive never in my life had any problems with my knees. Thank you for your feedback, i greatly appreciate it.

Answer
Christopher, I'm sorry you've had so much trouble with this. Normally this is a pretty easy fix if the person knows what they are doing. The key is to understand that your knee is very, very likely not the problem. Your knee is the connector between your hips and your foot. Thus, we need to focus our efforts there. Here are 4 videos of exercises that you should do twice each day for 3 days. Do each until they are difficult, but not terribly difficult. Stop when you think you could probably perform 10% more than what you've done. Do them in any order.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEtrqCu8Ne8&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiesZvSVa7c&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf-AKupMPNk&feature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGsBVoYNGac&feature=plcp

Do these for 3 days. On the 4th day do them and then play basketball immediately after. Let me know if it is better, worse, or the same. That will determine what the next step is. My hypothesis is that it will be significantly better.

I look forward to hearing how this goes for you Christopher.