Menu
Runner’s knee (often referring to patellofemoral pain or patellar tendinopathy) is one of the most common overuse injuries affecting runners of all levels, from recreational joggers to competitive marathoners.
It can cause persistent knee pain, reduced performance, and frustration when traditional treatments fall short.
At Mr Salus Sporting Lab in London, we take a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach combining advanced modalities like Shockwave Therapy and High-Power Laser Therapy, alongside expert physiotherapy and high-tech running analysis, to not just relieve pain, but address the underlying causes of injury and reduce future risk.
Runner’s knee isn’t a single condition, it’s a term used for a spectrum of pain around the front of the knee. Common causes include:
Patellofemoral pain syndrome — irritation of the cartilage beneath the kneecap.
Patellar tendinopathy — overload of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the Tibia bone.
Biomechanical imbalances (e.g., knee valgus).
Poor movement patterns under load.
Many of these issues are linked to gait mechanics and muscle function, which is why we prioritise running technique assessment to uncover biomechanical contributors before they become chronic injuries.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) delivers targeted acoustic pulses to musculoskeletal tissues.
These waves stimulate mechanical and biological responses that promote tissue healing, reduce pain, and improve function.
In runners with patellar or quadriceps tendinopathy — common forms of runner’s knee — shockwave treatment has been shown to improve outcomes when combined with targeted physical therapy.
In a retrospective pilot investigation of runners with patellar or quadriceps tendinopathy, most participants achieved meaningful clinical improvement after ESWT combined with physical therapy, suggesting shockwaves can be highly beneficial when integrated into a structured rehab plan. PubMed
High-power laser therapy (photobiomodulation) uses focused light energy to reduce inflammation, modulate pain, and energise tissue repair.
At Mr Salus Sporting Lab, our laser systems are among the most powerful and safest available, delivering strong anti-inflammatory effects that can make other treatments more comfortable and effective.
Some research comparing high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) with shockwave therapy has shown that each modality can significantly improve knee pain and function in musculoskeletal conditions like knee osteoarthritis. PubMed
While studies specifically on runner’s knee are evolving, the combined anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and tissue-enhancing effects make laser a valuable part of multimodal therapy.
Individually, both shockwave and laser therapy have distinct mechanisms — mechanical stimulation versus photobiomodulation.
Combined, they can:
Reduce pain faster than either alone.
Improve tissue healing and circulation.
Lower inflammation and swelling.
Prepare tissue for more effective manual therapy and exercise.
This dual strategy aligns with emerging clinical research protocols that evaluate ESWT and photobiomodulation (laser) together — particularly in runners — to enhance rehabilitation outcomes. PubMed
At Mr Salus Sporting Lab, every runner begins with a comprehensive running analysis to assess gait, load distribution, cadence, and lower-limb mechanics — helping us identify and correct the root causes of runner’s knee.Â
Our protocol integrates:
Hands-on physiotherapy, including manual release and joint mobilisation
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) and sports massage.
Shockwave Therapy to stimulate healing and break down dysfunctional scar tissue.
High-Power Laser Therapy to enhance anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
We often sequence laser before shockwave to optimise patient comfort and therapeutic impact — similar to combined modality approaches used in clinical research. PubMed
We always combine modalities with tailored rehab exercises that include:
Strengthening the hip, quadriceps, and hamstrings.
Graduated running drills and foot strike optimisation.
Movement re-education to reduce harmful knee stress.
This integrated model — analysis, modulation, manual treatment, technology, and exercise — maximises long-term results and lowers reinjury risk.
While research on combined shockwave + laser therapy for runner’s knee specifically is still growing, current evidence supports the effectiveness of:
ESWT combined with physical therapy for patellar and quadriceps tendinopathy in runners, with most patients achieving clinically significant improvement. PubMed
High-intensity laser and shockwave modalities are improving knee pain and function in related conditions such as knee osteoarthritis. PubMed
Protocols under investigation that combine ESWT, photobiomodulation, and exercise in runners — pointing toward enhanced outcomes when multimodal treatments are coordinated. PubMed
Runner’s knee doesn’t have to sideline your progress.
With the combined power of Shockwave Therapy and High-Power Laser Therapy, delivered as part of a personalised physiotherapy approach that includes hands-on care, running analysis, and targeted exercise, we help runners recover faster, move with confidence, reduce the chance of recurrence, and improve running performance.