Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive, evidence-supported, regenerative medicine treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. At Springs Chiropractic, we use ESWT to help patients reduce pain, restore mobility, and accelerate recovery from a wide range of knee conditions—including osteoarthritis, MCL sprains, and ACL injuries.
What Causes Knee Pain?
The knee is one of the most complex and heavily used joints in the body. Whether the result of wear-and-tear, repetitive stress, or sudden injury, damage to the structures in and around the knee can lead to ongoing pain, inflammation, and loss of function.
Common causes we treat with ESWT include:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) – Degeneration of cartilage that leads to stiffness, inflammation, and chronic pain.
- MCL Tears or Sprains – Injury to the medial collateral ligament, often caused by twisting forces or impact.
- ACL Tears or Sprains – Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, which can impair stability and function.
In each of these conditions, ESWT can support the healing process by increasing circulation, decreasing inflammation, and stimulating tissue repair.
How ESWT Helps With Knee Pain
ESWT delivers controlled acoustic waves into damaged tissues. These shockwaves create micro-stimulation that encourages the body to repair and regenerate.
Benefits of ESWT for Knee Conditions
- Reduces pain and inflammation in damaged or arthritic tissues
- Improves joint mobility by decreasing stiffness
- Accelerates ligament and soft tissue healing (helpful for MCL and ACL sprains)
- Stimulates cartilage repair activity—beneficial for osteoarthritis
- Enhances circulation to promote faster recovery
- Non-invasive alternative to injections, medications, or surgery
Many patients report noticeable improvements after just a few sessions.
ESWT for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Osteoarthritis causes cartilage degeneration and chronic inflammation in the knee joint. ESWT can:
- Reduce inflammatory chemicals in the joint
- Improve blood flow to surrounding tissues
- Stimulate chondrocytes (cartilage-producing cells)
- Decrease pain, stiffness, and swelling
Patients often experience increased mobility and less discomfort during daily activities.
ESWT for MCL Tears and Sprains
The medial collateral ligament helps stabilize the knee. When injured, healing can be slow due to limited blood supply.
ESWT supports recovery by:
- Encouraging collagen formation
- Improving ligament fiber alignment
- Reducing pain and tenderness along the inner knee
- Helping restore stability
It is especially helpful for lingering pain or incomplete recovery after an MCL sprain.
ESWT for ACL Sprains
While complete ACL tears typically require surgical repair, partial tears and sprains often respond very well to conservative care.
ESWT may help by:
- Strengthening the healing response in ligament fibers
- Reducing chronic inflammation in the knee joint
- Supporting neuromuscular function and stability
- Improving overall joint mobility
For post-surgical ACL patients, ESWT can also be used to address residual pain and scar tissue (once cleared by a surgeon).
What to Expect During Treatment
ESWT sessions are quick and comfortable. Here’s what patients can expect:
- Assessment – Your provider evaluates your knee and identifies the exact treatment areas.
- Application – A handheld shockwave device is applied to the knee region.
- Treatment Duration – Sessions typically last 5–10 minutes.
- No Downtime – You can return to normal activity immediately afterward.
Is ESWT Right for You?
If you’re dealing with lingering knee pain from osteoarthritis, an MCL injury, or an ACL sprain—and you want a non-invasive, drug-free solution—ESWT may be an excellent option.
Our team will evaluate your condition and build a personalized care plan to help you recover as quickly and comfortably as possible.
Schedule Your Consultation
Ready to get relief from knee pain without surgery? Contact Springs Chiropractic today to schedule your ESWT consultation and find out if shockwave therapy is right for your knee condition.
