JUMPER'S KNEE & SHOCKWAVE THERAPY
Jumper’s knee or patellar tendonitis is an overuse injury that happens when frequent jumping, running and changing direction damages the patellar tendon. Patellar tendonitis is located in the tendon just below your kneecap. This condition should really be called patellar tendinopathy or patellar tendinosis due to the fact that the patellar tendon is not just inflamed it is degraded and has not been able to heal from excessive use.
Due to its ability to regenerate the collagen fibers in the patellar tendon ESWT is a valuable treatment modality for jumper’s knee. The focused sound waves go into the tendon at targeted depths. Here they break up brittle scar tissue adhesions, promote the release of growth factors, bring blood to the area and stimulate new collagen growth. It may sound to good to be true but it is not. In fact, ESWT is a non-invasive and effective approach to alleviate pain and promote healing on the cellular level in people with patellar tendon issues.
RADIAL SHOCKWAVE VERSUS FOCUSED SHOCKWAVE FOR PATELLAR TENDONITIS
ESWT, can also referred to as Radial Shockwave Therapy. However, Radial Shockwave is inferior to the Piezowave as it is not specific and it has a different wave form. We had company reps come in to our office and let us demo radial shockwave machine. The result from radial shockwave was bruising and even wounding. Even though focused shockwave is way more expensive it is worth it as we have never had anyone get bruised or hurt from the machine. With ESWT, also known as Acoustic Wave Therapy, you can resume daily activities shortly after treatment. In fact, some people get the treatment right before their sport.
Many studies show better results with shockwave therapy than PRP, cortisone injections and physical therapy. Shockwaves generated during treatment stimulate the production of collagen, a key component of tendon tissue, leading to improved tendon structure and function. By strengthening the patellar tendon and enhancing its resilience to stress, ESWT helps prevent recurrent episodes of patellar tendinitis and supports long-term recovery. So, shockwave therapy is pushing into your future and even giving you more confidence to play tennis, ski, shoot hoops and other activities you love to do.
Of course, in conjunction with the Piezowave, you will be guided through a specific home rehab process that works for the stage of patellar tendinopathy that you are in.
CAN SHOCKWAVE THERAPY WORK FOR OTHER TENDON ISSUES?
A tendon is a tendon and shockwave therapy can help. Conditions like achilles tendinitis, gamer’s thumb, rotator cuff tendinitis, trigger finger and tendinopathies in general are easily helped with this technology. You can now turn back time on your tendons with shockwave therapy.