ISMST · ESWT Certification Course · Clinical Module 9
Shockwave Therapy for Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee)
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) addresses patellar tendon overload by enhancing collagen regeneration, easing pain, and restoring functional capacity in active and athletic patients alike.
Co-authored and validated by: Prof. Carlos Leal · part of the official ISMST–ESWT online certification faculty
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One-time payment · €599 incl. VAT · 12 months full access
ISMST-certified curriculum
One module of the official ISMST–ESWT online certification course.
Led by Prof. Leal
Co-authored and validated by Prof. Carlos Leal.
Interactive clinical cases
27 chapters with 10 interactive activities and self-assessment checks.
Evidence-based
Recommendations anchored in published clinical research, free of industry bias.
What you’ll learn
From jumper's knee to return to sport
ESWT addresses patellar tendon overload by enhancing collagen regeneration, easing pain, and restoring functional capacity in active and athletic patients alike.
Welcome to this module on Patellar tendinopathy! Often referred to as "jumper’s knee," it is a chronic degenerative condition of the patellar tendon frequently encountered in athletes and active individuals. Traditional conservative treatments, including eccentric loading and physiotherapy, can be prolonged and occasionally insufficient. This unit takes a closer look at ESWT as a non-invasive, adjunctive modality for the treatment of patellar tendinopathy. You will gain insights into patient selection criteria, treatment parameters, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based protocols relevant to integrating ESWT into advanced musculoskeletal care.
In this module, you will explore clinical case studies and interactive videos focusing on the transmission and interaction of shockwaves in the treatment of patellar tendinopathy.
Taught at physician level — structured clinical evidence, treatment rationale and interactive case examples, not device marketing.
After this module you will be able to:
- Identify key aspects of a successful therapy
- Explain the nature of the underlying disorder
- Justify the selection of ESWT versus Radial Pressure Wave Therapy (RPWT)
- Discuss key considerations in applying ESWT in a combination therapy
Inside the module
4 guided study units, chapter by chapter
Every chapter combines concise clinical text with imagery, interactive elements and knowledge checks. Here is what module 9 covers — the full teaching is inside the course.
A Sports Medicine Challenge
Pathophysiology of Patellar TendinopathyTreatment PrinciplesTreatment OptionsESWT TreatmentsPatient Selection CriteriaClinical Outcomes and EvidenceIntegration with RehabilitationContraindications and Safety Considerations
ESWT evidence and literature
Non-Surgical OutcomesPain Reduction and Analgesic EffectTendon Structure and QualityFunctional and Performance OutcomesTreatment Parameters and Protocol StandardizationTiming and Chronicity
Radial pressure waves - Alternative or Adjunctive?
Biophysical Differences Between Focused ESWT and Radial Pressure WavesMechanisms of Action and Target TissuesClinical Evidence for RPWT in Patellar TendinopathyTreatment Parameters and Protocol StandardizationPractical Considerations in Clinical ApplicationCombined Use: Sequential or Concurrent ProtocolsSafety and Side Effect Profile
ESWT or RPWT?
Indication-Based Decision MakingClinical Goals and Expected OutcomesPatient-Specific FactorsPractical and Logistical ConsiderationsEvidence-Based Treatment PathwaysLimitations and Gaps in Current Knowledge
From the evidence
A taste of what the module teaches
90% vs 50%
Excellent or good outcomes with ESWT versus conservative care in a randomized controlled trial of chronic jumper's knee — with recurrence in only 13% of ESWT-treated knees against 50% under conservative management over 2–3 years of follow-up.
Wang et al., Am J Sports Med 2007≈30% less stiff
In a randomized trial of 34 male basketball and volleyball athletes, ESWT reduced patellar tendon stiffness by almost a third on shear-wave imaging — and the drop in stiffness correlated directly with pain relief during the single-leg decline-squat test.
Module 9.3 — Tendon Structure and QualityWatch the experts at work
Treatment demonstrations, step by step
Every clinical module includes video demonstrations by the ISMST faculty — on real patients and in the WaveVision VR environment. No VR headset required.
Patellar tendinopathy — focused shockwaves · Prof. Carlos LealFull video available inside the course
Treat jumper's knee with confidence — get ISMST-certified.
Introductory price · approx. $699€599 one-time · VAT included · 12 months access
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For medical professionals · eligibility confirmed at registration · includes the complete certification course with all 10 clinical modules, foundations and exam · see the full course
Page last updated: 25 August 2026