What to expect from shockwave therapy for patellar tendinitis

After checking the front of your knee, the clinician applies gel and moves an applicator over the tender patellar tendon. The pulses may feel like tapping or a sharp pressure, especially over the most sensitive spot. Intensity is adjusted to your response. Patellar tendinitis, also called patellar tendinopathy or jumper's knee, is linked to tendon overload; shockwave therapy is used as one part of a plan to improve tolerance to load, not as an instant repair.

Tell the clinician about blood-thinning medicine, bleeding conditions, reduced sensation, or a recent injection. Plan lighter activity after treatment because the tendon can feel sore or bruised. Avoid jumping, sprinting, and deep repeated knee bending until your clinician says they are appropriate. Keep up with prescribed quadriceps and leg-strengthening work at the recommended level, increasing load in stages rather than testing the knee with a sudden sports session.

Report pain that keeps intensifying, significant swelling, or unusual bruising. Seek urgent care after a pop with sudden weakness, inability to straighten the knee or bear weight, a hot red knee with fever, or new numbness. These symptoms can signal an injury or another condition requiring examination.

Ask which part of the tendon will be treated, which exercises are safe now, when running or jumping can resume, and how progress will be checked. Ask how the plan changes if pain remains during stairs or squats.