Can you tell me how far below the patella the deep infrapatellar tendon lies?

Question

I've looked at a million websites and can't find a good picture of the infrapatellar tendon on a real actual knee. I have swelling on both sides of the patella tendon, about 1/4 inch below the bottom of the patella. Is that where the infrapatellar tendon is, or is it further down? Thanks!

Answer 1

The ligamentum patellae or inferior patellar tendon attaches to the tuberosity of the tibia

Behind the ligament is the infrapatellar pad of fat, and anterior to the fat pad and posterior to the ligament is a small bursa. Bursitis at this point may be the cause of your swelling. The knee joint capsule itself is quite large and any fluid would present as a spongy bulge. Plus, there are several other bursae around the patella.

Wish I could give you a website, but it was easier for an old codger like me to amble across the room to the bookshelf. Took all of 90 seconds to find the answer.