Shockwave Therapy for Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) - often known as “runner’s knee” is a common cause of pain around or behind the kneecap (patella), especially with activities that load a flexed (bent) knee.
Typical symptoms of PFPS;
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Dull or aching pain around or behind the kneecap
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Pain with: running (especially downhill), squatting or lunging
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Going up or down stairs
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Sitting for long periods
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Pain builds gradually - not suddenly
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Usually no major swelling or locking
What are the main causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) usually comes from too much or poorly controlled load on the kneecap joint, rather than one single injury. The main causes fall into a few clear buckets:
1. Training and load errors (most common)
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Sudden increases in running mileage, speed, hills, or stairs
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Jumping or plyometrics added too quickly
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Not enough recovery between sessions
The patellofemoral joint gets overloaded faster than it can adapt.
2. Quadriceps weakness or imbalance
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Reduced overall quad strength
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Poor load tolerance in knee flexion
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Delayed or reduced activation of the quads
This increases stress behind the kneecap during everyday activities like stairs and squats.
3. Hip and glute weakness
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Weak gluteus medius and maximus
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Poor control of femur movement
This can lead to the knee collapsing inward (dynamic valgus), increasing patellofemoral joint stress.
4. Poor movement mechanics
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Excessive knee valgus during squats, running, or landing
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Poor shock absorption strategies
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Overstriding or excessive braking forces in runners
These mechanics amplify joint load even at normal training volumes.
5. Reduced ankle mobility
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Limited ankle dorsiflexion
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Stiff calves or Achilles tendon
This shifts load upward to the knee during squatting, running, and stair use.
6. Prolonged knee flexion
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Long periods of sitting (“movie-theatre sign”)
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Frequent kneeling or crouching
Sustained compression of the patellofemoral joint can sensitize it.
7. Foot factors (secondary contributors)
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Excessive or prolonged pronation
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Poor footwear for training demands
These don’t cause PFPS alone but can increase knee load.
We can speed up your recovery from injury with a combination of Myofascial release, Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy within the same sessions.
Depending on whether it is Acute or Chronic, 3 - 6 sessions are generally required for most people to gain complete pain relief and make a full recovery from Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).
The new way to treat MSK.
How Shockwave Therapy helps with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
1. Pain modulation
The strongest effect of shockwave in PFPS is on pain: Shockwave therapy helps to reduce sensitivity of local nerve endings. It alters pain signaling (neuromodulation) and lowers pain enough to allow better participation in rehab. This is most relevant when pain is persistent and limiting exercise progress.
2. Addresses associated soft-tissue pain
Shockwave is sometimes applied to structures that commonly contribute to PFPS pain:
These include the quadriceps tendon, Patellar tendon, Lateral retinaculum and the Peripatellar soft tissues.
If PFPS overlaps with tendinopathy or localised tissue sensitivity, Shockwave therapy may help those components.
3. Facilitates rehabilitation
By reducing pain, squatting, stair work, and strengthening become more tolerable and patients can load the knee through deeper ranges sooner. Also rehab quality and consistency improve and this is where any longer-term benefit comes from.
Take your recovery to the next level with scientifically proven Shockwave technology. Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven and well approved by top orthopedics and is now used by well established professional sports bodies, such as elite Premier League Football and Rugby Union clubs.