Spring is here, and the race is on! Are you looking to take your jumper’s knee therapy to the next level? Shockwave therapy can revolutionize your treatment approach and provide proven results for your patients.

Up to 40 percent of runners suffer from jumper’s knee, an overuse injury that results in pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap due to irritation and swelling.

Shockwave therapy provides non-invasive relief by stimulating the body’s healing process and reducing inflammation in the knee area. A recent study also found that extracorporeal shockwave therapy benefits patients who have undergone knee surgery.

The Running Boom

As the weather improves and runners take to the trails and tracks, there’s bound to be a surge in running-related injuries.

Over 80 percent of runners get injured at some point in their career with hamstring injuries, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis and pulled muscles.

But jumper’s knee is by far the most common running injury. Like other injuries, runner’s knee is challenging for patients who may have to stop all sports activities to deal with time-consuming jumper’s knee therapy and rehabilitation.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Seasonal Running Injuries

Treatment of jumper’s knee typically involves rest, cold packs, compression, elevation, medication, stretching and strengthening exercises, and sometimes even surgery.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive jumper’s knee therapy that can supplement traditional modalities offered by doctors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and other clinicians and reduce the need for medication and surgery.

Shockwave uses acoustic waves to stimulate and massage injured soft tissues to reduce swelling and improve blood flow to the affected area, which activates the body’s natural healing processes.

The many benefits of shockwave therapy include:

  • Reduced need for medication and even surgery.
  • Faster recovery time, allowing runners to return to the track more quickly.
  • Reduced downtime compared to traditional treatments.
  • Treatment of symptoms and underlying biomechanical issues contributing to the injuries.

Study shows Shockwave improves rehabilitation post-surgery

A recent study shows that the early application of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can also positively influence the rehabilitation process of patients who require total knee surgery (arthroplasty).

The study “Early application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy improves pain control and functional scores in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty” compared 56 patients undergoing total knee surgery.

Following surgery, all patients received two sessions of physiotherapy daily, but the experimental group received four sessions of ESWT within seven days after surgery.

Patients were evaluated at baseline and postoperative days two and seven. Researchers found that both treatments effectively reduced pain and improved range of motion and functional scores seven days after surgery. However, “comparative analysis revealed superior clinical results for the experimental group in all the outcomes,” especially range of motion.

“Early application of ESWT in addition to physiotherapy can positively influence the rehabilitation process after TKA [total knee arthroplasty],” says the study. “Preliminary results demonstrated better pain control and functional scores compared to physiotherapy alone.”

Final Thoughts

Shockwave therapy is an effective, non-invasive option for jumper’s knee therapy. A new study shows it also helps patients with total knee surgery.

Curious to learn more about Shockwave Canada? Visit our website for detailed information and expert guidance.