SHOCKWAVE THERAPY · HUNTINGTON, NY
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 |
FAQ
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.
Related care at West Hills
- Shockwave therapy overview — how focused ESWT works and every condition we treat with it.
- Physical rehabilitation — the strength-and-motion rehab we pair with shockwave.
- Sports rehabilitation — return-to-sport programming and graded loading for athletes.
- Knee pain — other causes of knee pain we evaluate and treat.
Reviewed by the clinical team at West Hills Chiropractic Pain Center · Huntington, NY · Last reviewed May 2026
START YOUR RECOVERY
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.
400 W Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743
Mon 8am–6pm · Tue 7am–6pm · Wed 8am–7pm · Thu 7am–6pm · Fri 8am–6pm · Sat 8am–12pm