Age/Gender
32/Male
Condition
Patellar Tendinopathy
Treatment
F-ESWT + DNS
Time to Recovery
7 Weeks
Patient Overview
| Months 1–4 (Pre-Treatment) | Completed physical therapy with eccentric loading exercises. Used a knee brace during basketball and took rest periods between seasons. Was recommended PRP injection but sought a non-injection approach first. |
| ▸ Treatment at City Integrative Rehabilitation | |
| Condition | Patellar tendinopathy, bilateral |
| Duration | 10 months |
| Activity Level | Competitive recreational basketball (3-4x/week) |
| Prior Treatment | PT (eccentric exercises), knee brace, rest periods |
| Prior Recommendation | PRP injection |
Treatment Protocol
Phase 1 | F-ESWT applied directly to the patellar tendon over 5 sessions. This addressed the chronic degenerative changes in the tendon tissue and stimulated healing response through controlled microtrauma and mechanotransduction. The patient tolerated the sessions well with minimal post-treatment soreness. |
Phase 2 Hip Stabilization | DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) targeting hip and core stability. Assessment revealed significant glute weakness and poor activation patterns. Comprehensive DNS training restored proper motor control and hip abductor strength, correcting the inward knee collapse (valgus pattern) that was overloading the patellar tendon during landing and cutting movements. |
Phase 3 Movement Patterns | AiM (Anatomy in Motion) lower chain mechanics focused on landing technique, deceleration control, and force dissipation during basketball-specific movements (jumping, cutting, lateral shuffling). Retraining neuromuscular patterns ensured the tendon would no longer bear excessive load during return to sport. |
Recovery Timeline
| Weeks 5-6 | Significant functional improvement. Patient able to jog without pain, perform single-leg exercises with proper alignment. Sport-specific drills began (defensive slides, vertical jump mechanics). |
| Week 7+ | Full return to competitive basketball. Patient dunking and cutting without pain or apprehension. No recurrence of symptoms at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Maintenance DNS and movement pattern practice continued. |
Key Insight
His patellar tendon was taking the punishment for weak hip stabilizers. Every time he landed from a jump, his knee collapsed inward, concentrating force through the tendon. Treating the tendon alone would never have worked long-term. The combination of F-ESWT to address tissue quality, DNS to restore hip control, and AiM to reprogram landing mechanics created the conditions for true, lasting recovery.
Related Treatments
Learn more about the therapies used in this case:
- Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (F-ESWT)
- Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
- Anatomy in Motion (AiM)
Knee Pain Keeping You Off the Court?
If you’re dealing with patellar tendinopathy, jumper’s knee, or persistent knee pain that’s limiting your sport, we can help. Schedule a consultation to discuss a targeted treatment plan tailored to your specific mechanics and goals.
Disclaimer: This case study describes one patient’s experience and outcome. Results vary based on individual factors including severity of condition, compliance with treatment protocols, and baseline fitness level. This case is presented for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any treatment program.