Shockwave Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) in Huntington, NY
Stubborn front-of-knee tendon pain from jumping or running? Focused acoustic-wave therapy, paired with a loading program, restarts healing in the patellar tendon — non-surgical, no injections, no downtime. We use it the way the evidence supports: for chronic cases, not as a mid-season quick fix.
Same day appointments may be available.
Shockwave therapy for patellar tendinopathy — “jumper’s knee” — uses focused acoustic waves to heal the tendon just below the kneecap. At West Hills Chiropractic Pain Center in Huntington, NY, we use focused Storz Medical shockwave with loading exercise for chronic front-of-knee tendon pain that hasn’t responded to rest and rehab, especially in jumping and running athletes. Non-surgical, no downtime.
What jumper’s knee is
Patellar tendinopathy is pain at the front of the knee, right at the bottom tip of the kneecap, where the patellar tendon attaches. It’s aggravated by jumping, squatting, stairs, and prolonged sitting. It’s classic in basketball, volleyball, and running athletes — but it also shows up in active adults generally; imaging studies find patellar tendon changes in a surprisingly high share of middle-aged people. As with other tendons, the chronic version is degeneration that has stopped healing, not simple inflammation.
How shockwave therapy treats the patellar tendon
Focused pulses to the tendon attachment restart the repair process — blood flow, new vessels, collagen rebuilding — and we pair it with progressive loading, which is the backbone of patellar tendon rehab.
What the research shows — honestly
Here’s the nuance that matters, and we’d rather you hear it from us: shockwave works best for chronic patellar tendinopathy, and it works as part of a loading program, not as a quick in-season fix. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found ESWT is a promising and safe option for jumper’s knee (Stania et al., J Hum Kinet, 2022). But a Level-1 trial in athletes treated during their competitive season found no benefit over placebo (Zwerver et al., 2011) — a strong signal that timing matters. We use it the way the evidence supports: for chronic cases, in the off-season or during a loading-focused rehab block, not as a mid-season patch.
Are you a candidate?
A good fit if you have chronic (more than a few months) front-of-knee tendon pain that hasn’t resolved with rest and rehab, and you can commit to a loading program alongside treatment. Less suited to acute flare-ups or in-season quick fixes — we’ll be candid about timing.
What to expect
- Evaluation to confirm it’s the patellar tendon (front-of-knee pain has several causes) and assess severity.
- Treatment: five to ten minutes of focused pulses to the tendon; firm tapping, no numbing.
- No downtime.
- Three to six sessions about a week apart.
- Loading program alongside — essential for this tendon. Improvement builds over the following weeks.
How it compares
| Option | Treats the cause? | Long-term trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Rest | No | Pain returns on reloading |
| NSAIDs | No | Symptom control only |
| Cortisone injection | No | Generally avoided — risk to the patellar tendon |
| Surgery | Sometimes | Invasive; long recovery; last resort |
| Shockwave + loading | Yes | Promising for chronic cases; best paired with loading, off-season |
Frequently asked questions
Does it hurt?
A strong tapping over the tendon; tolerable, no anesthesia.
How many sessions?
Three to six, about a week apart, with a loading program.
Can I do this mid-season?
We generally don’t recommend it as an in-season quick fix — a trial found no benefit when used during competition. It works best for chronic cases in a loading-focused block.
Why the exercises?
Loading rebuilds the tendon; shockwave restarts healing. The two together are the approach that works.
Is it better than surgery?
For most chronic cases it’s a reasonable step to try first; surgery is a last resort.
Insurance?
Coverage varies; often out-of-pocket. We explain costs first.
What patients say
Real experiences from patients we’ve treated for tendon and joint pain at West Hills.
“That stabbing heel pain the second my feet hit the floor in the morning had been going on for almost a year. I’d tried the night splint, new orthotics, two cortisone shots — it always crept back. After a few shockwave sessions I can finally walk my dog at 6am without limping to the kitchen first. I wish I’d come in months earlier instead of just resting it and hoping.”
“I’m not even a tennis player — mine came from lifting at the gym and a desk job. Gripping a coffee mug or shaking someone’s hand would send a jolt through my forearm. My ortho offered another cortisone injection and said to give it time. Shockwave actually went after the tendon itself. Three weeks in, the morning ache is basically gone and I’m back to deadlifts.”
“I couldn’t sleep on my left side, and reaching up to a cabinet was brutal. Imaging showed a calcium deposit in the rotator cuff, and the surgical consult was already on the table. Someone suggested I try shockwave first. The difference in how I can lift my arm overhead now is night and day, and I never had to schedule the surgery.”
“As a runner, the stiffness and pain at the back of my heel was wrecking my training. Stretching, new shoes, weeks off — nothing held. What I liked is that they explained why a chronic tendon doesn’t heal on its own and how the treatment kick-starts it. I’m back to my long runs without that ‘walking on a pebble’ feeling every morning.”
Ready to treat your knee without surgery?
Find out whether focused shockwave fits your jumper’s knee. We’ll confirm the diagnosis and set realistic, evidence-based expectations about timing first.