Jacked Athlete Podcast Patellar and Quadriceps Tendons with Rodrigo Scattone
Nov 19, 2025
Rodrigo Scattone, a sports physical therapist and researcher specializing in patellar tendinopathy, shares his insights on tendon health. He emphasizes the critical link between ankle dorsiflexion and knee stress, along with the importance of calf strengthening in rehabilitation. Scattone discusses various loading strategies, including the use of electrical stimulation and the impact of compression versus tension on quadriceps and patellar tendons. He also addresses youth load management and the significance of a well-rounded kinetic chain approach in sports rehabilitation.
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Two Patients Changed His Approach
- Rodrigo described treating two patellar tendinopathy cases differently after seeing one athlete with severe dorsiflexion restriction from ankle sprains.
- He decided kinetic chain issues must be addressed, not just progressive quad loading, to prevent recurrence.
E‑Stim Often Increases Tendon Strain
- E-stim can markedly increase measured tendon strain compared with voluntary contractions, but subject responses vary widely.
- Higher strain with E-stim can be useful mechanistically but requires careful progression to avoid symptom spikes.
Choose Isometric Duration By Tolerance
- Short high-intensity isometrics (Berlin method) and long-duration holds both help, but patient tolerance matters.
- Prefer long-duration isometrics for analgesia unless fasciculations or pain force you to use short intense holds.