Dr. Finnoff notes that this approach fills a need for athletes whose injuries are not responding to first-line treatments, such as rest, ice, therapeutic exercise, bracing, and orthotics, but who are not yet ready to consider more-invasive or surgical options.

“Say we are treating a basketball player in the middle of the season who is experiencing jumper’s knee that is inhibiting his or her ability to practice or play,” explains Dr. Finnoff. “ESWT might be the next option for that athlete after we have tried all of the standard nonoperative treatments. Normally, when athletes have failed treatment, we have to tell them that they can’t play or that they need to consider more-invasive treatments such as a needle tenotomy, experimental regenerative medicine treatment, or surgical debridement, all of which are associated with higher costs, increased risk and longer recovery periods. While often successful, all of those more-invasive therapies require time off and can effectively end an athlete’s season. ESWT thus provides athletes with a really nice intermediate option that, if successful, isn’t season-ending.”