Tendonitis can make everyday activities difficult, whether it is shoulder pain when reaching overhead, elbow pain when gripping, knee pain when exercising, or Achilles pain when walking or running.
Shockwave therapy for tendonitis is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. It is commonly used for chronic tendon problems that have not improved enough with rest, exercise, physical therapy, or other conservative treatments.
The first step is identifying which tendon is causing the pain and whether shockwave therapy is appropriate for that specific condition.
What Is Tendonitis?
Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
Tendonitis can develop when a tendon is repeatedly stressed through exercise, sports, work, or everyday activities.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain during movement or exercise
- Tenderness over the tendon
- Pain when lifting, gripping, jumping, or running
- Stiffness after resting
- Weakness or decreased function
- Pain that improves temporarily but returns with activity
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) uses acoustic pressure waves that travel through the skin into an injured or painful tendon.
The acoustic energy is believed to stimulate several healing processes, including:
- Increased blood flow
- Stimulation of tissue repair
- Collagen remodeling
- Changes in pain signaling
- Increased cellular activity involved in tendon healing
- Breakdown and absorption of calcium deposits in certain tendon conditions
The goal is not simply to temporarily numb the painful area. Shockwave therapy is designed to stimulate a healing response in the injured tendon.
What Types of Tendonitis Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendonitis can cause pain when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, exercising, or sleeping on the affected shoulder.
Shockwave therapy has been studied for rotator cuff tendon problems, with particularly strong evidence for calcific tendonitis, where calcium deposits develop within the tendon.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow.
Common symptoms include pain with:
- Gripping
- Lifting
- Using tools
- Opening a jar
- Playing sports
- Repetitive hand or wrist activities
Shockwave therapy has been extensively studied as a non-surgical treatment for chronic tennis elbow.
Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow can develop from repetitive gripping, lifting, throwing, weight training, or occupational activities.
Shockwave therapy may be considered for certain patients with chronic golfer’s elbow.
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar tendonitis, sometimes called jumper’s knee, commonly affects athletes and people involved in repetitive jumping, running, or lower-body exercise.
Pain is usually felt directly below the kneecap and may become worse with squatting, jumping, running, or climbing stairs.
Shockwave therapy has been studied as a treatment option for chronic patellar tendon pain.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis can cause pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the tendon or where the tendon attaches to the heel.
Shockwave therapy may be used in selected patients with chronic Achilles tendon pain, often together with an appropriate strengthening and exercise program.
What Does the Research Say About Shockwave Therapy for Tendonitis?
Shockwave therapy has been studied in many different chronic tendon conditions.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 clinical studies evaluated extracorporeal shockwave therapy for tendon problems throughout the body. Researchers found significant pain reduction in several conditions, including tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendonitis, while noting that treatment results can vary depending on the tendon being treated.
Another 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials evaluated shockwave therapy for tendon conditions in both the upper and lower body. The researchers found benefits particularly for certain lower-extremity tendon problems and calcific tendonitis.
Why Choose Shockwave Therapy for Tendonitis?
Non-Invasive
Shockwave therapy does not require an incision or surgery.
No Injection Required
There are no needles or medications injected into the tendon during treatment.
Minimal Downtime
Most patients can return to their normal daily activities shortly after treatment.
The treated area may temporarily feel tender or sore.
Targets the Injured Tendon
Shockwave therapy allows us to direct acoustic energy toward the portion of the tendon that appears to be causing the pain.
When appropriate, diagnostic ultrasound can help identify tendon damage, thickening, calcification, or other abnormalities and help guide treatment.
Can Be Combined With Rehabilitation
Shockwave therapy can be used as part of a complete treatment plan.
Depending on the tendon involved, treatment may also include:
- Strengthening exercises
- Progressive tendon loading
- Stretching
- Physical therapy
- Modification of activities that repeatedly irritate the tendon
The goal is not simply to temporarily decrease pain but to improve how the tendon functions and help the patient return to normal activity.
What Does Shockwave Therapy for Tendonitis Feel Like?
During treatment, patients usually feel a rapid tapping or pulsing sensation over the injured tendon.
The most painful area may feel sensitive during treatment. The intensity can usually be adjusted depending on the patient’s comfort and the condition being treated.
Treatment is performed in the office and typically does not require anesthesia.
How Many Shockwave Treatments Are Needed for Tendonitis?
The exact number of treatments depends on the tendon being treated, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s response.
At our office, many patients receive approximately 6 shockwave therapy sessions over 4–6 weeks.
Some patients notice improvement during the treatment series, while others continue improving over the following several weeks.
Because shockwave therapy is designed to stimulate a healing response rather than simply block pain, improvement may be gradual.
Is Shockwave Therapy Right for Your Tendonitis?
You may be a candidate for shockwave therapy if you have chronic tendon pain such as:
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Calcific shoulder tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Patellar tendonitis
- Certain Achilles tendon problems
- Other tendon pain that has not improved enough with conservative treatment
However, pain near a tendon does not always mean tendonitis.
Tendon tears, arthritis, nerve problems, ligament injuries, fractures, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms.
This is why determining the root cause of the pain is important before beginning treatment.
Shockwave Therapy for Tendonitis in Rhode Island
At the Pain Center of Rhode Island in Cranston, RI, we specialize in non-surgical treatment of musculoskeletal, tendon, and joint pain.
We offer both focused shockwave therapy and radial shockwave therapy for appropriate tendon conditions.
Our approach begins with identifying the source of your pain. When appropriate, diagnostic ultrasound can help us evaluate the tendon and look for tendon damage, calcification, partial tears, or other abnormalities.
We can then determine whether shockwave therapy should be part of your treatment plan.
If you are looking for shockwave therapy for tendonitis in Rhode Island, or have been diagnosed with rotator cuff tendonitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, patellar tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, or chronic tendon pain, contact the Pain Center of Rhode Island to schedule an evaluation.
Pain Center of Rhode Island
1150 Reservoir Avenue, Suite 200
Cranston, RI 02920
401-648-6100
