Shockwave Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
Updated: Nov 2
If you’ve ever finished a run, workout, or long day on your feet and felt a sharp ache at the front of your knee just below the kneecap, you might be dealing with patellar tendinopathy, commonly called jumper's knee. At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, we regularly help runners, gym-goers, and active adults manage this frustrating condition using shockwave therapy, along with strength work and load management.
Understanding Patellar Tendinopathy
Your patellar tendon connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). It’s a crucial part of how your leg absorbs impact and transmits power during running, jumping, or squatting. When that tendon is placed under repetitive load without enough time to recover, it can become irritated and begin to degenerate, leading to pain that sits right below the kneecap.
Common symptoms include:
Pain when squatting, running, or climbing stairs
Tenderness just below the kneecap
Stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting
Pain that eases as you warm up but worsens after activity
Why It Happens
Patellar tendinopathy is usually caused by repetitive overload. For most people, this isn’t just from training too hard, it’s often a combination of contributing factors that include:
Sudden changes in activity such as ramping up running distance or gym volume
Tight or weak quadriceps and gluteal muscles altering knee mechanics
Foot posture, in some people, changing how load passes through the knee
Footwear that lacks support or shock absorption
Poor landing mechanics or jumping technique
In some people, the way the foot moves can add to inward movement of the knee and load on the patellar tendon, which is one reason we look at the feet as well as the knee.
How Shockwave Therapy Helps
At My Family Podiatry, we use focused and radial EMS Dolorclast shockwave therapy as part of treatment for patellar tendinopathy.
Shockwave therapy works by delivering acoustic energy into the affected tissue. This triggers a biological response that includes:
Increased blood flow to the tendon
Stimulation of tissue regeneration
Stimulation of tendon remodelling
Pain relief through nerve desensitisation
For tendon problems like this one, research suggests shockwave can help some people whose progress with rehabilitation has plateaued.
Focused vs Radial Shockwave
Our clinic uses both forms of EMS Dolorclast technology for knee pain:
Focused shockwave therapy penetrates deeper and is used for treating the thick portion of the patellar tendon directly below the kneecap.
Radial shockwave therapy disperses energy more broadly, helping relieve tension and trigger points in the quadriceps, patellar retinaculum, and surrounding structures that may be contributing to load imbalance.
Combining these two modalities helps us address both the tendon itself and the muscle groups that support it.
Comprehensive Assessment and Ultrasound Diagnosis
Every patient begins with a detailed biomechanical assessment. We look at foot posture, lower limb alignment, and strength through VALD Force Decks to assess asymmetries in loading.
If required, we also perform in-clinic diagnostic ultrasound to visualise the tendon and confirm whether degeneration, thickening, or partial tearing is present. This allows us to precisely target treatment and monitor improvement across sessions.
The Rehabilitation Plan
Shockwave therapy works best as part of a structured management plan that includes:
Load management: reducing aggravating movements while maintaining conditioning
Targeted strengthening: especially of the quadriceps, glutes and calf muscles
Footwear assessment: checking shoes provide suitable cushioning and stability
Custom orthotics: where foot mechanics are adding to knee load
The aim is to relieve pain and build long-term tendon capacity, which lowers the chance of it coming back.
What to Expect from Treatment
Some people notice a change after two to three sessions, while longer-standing cases may need up to six. Each session lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, and you can continue usual activities straight after, with some exercise restrictions for the next 24 to 48 hours.
The aims of treatment are:
Reduced pain and tenderness
Improved knee strength and function
Better tolerance for running, squats, and stairs
When to Seek Help
If your knee pain hasn’t improved with rest, stretching, or foam rolling, it’s time to seek professional help. Ignoring patellar tendinopathy can result in further tendon breakdown, prolonged pain, and reduced ability to train.
Our podiatrists will work with you to identify what is driving the pain, whether that is foot posture, strength imbalance or training load, and develop a plan to get you back to comfortable movement. You may also find our article on runner’s knee helpful if your pain is around or behind the kneecap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will shockwave therapy fix patellar tendinopathy?
Shockwave is not a stand-alone fix. It can help reduce pain and support the tendon’s response to loading, and works best alongside a progressive strengthening program.
Does it hurt?
It can feel uncomfortable during treatment, but the intensity is always adjustable. Most people tolerate it easily.
Is there downtime?
No. You can usually resume daily activity straight after, though we recommend avoiding high-impact exercise for 24–48 hours.
Can foot orthotics help with knee pain?
In some people. Where foot posture is adding to load at the knee, orthotics may help as part of a wider plan.
The Bottom Line
Patellar tendinopathy can be a stubborn injury, but there are good options to help. At My Family Podiatry in Albany Creek, we combine shockwave, strength testing, orthotic support where needed and diagnostic ultrasound to help you move confidently again.
If you’re struggling with jumper’s knee or persistent knee pain, book your appointment today and see how shockwave therapy can help you get back to doing what you love.
