Knee Tendon Problems — Expert Treatment in Buxton & Bakewell with Shockwave Therapy

Knee tendon issues are a common cause of discomfort, pain and reduced mobility for athletes, active people and those with everyday joint stresses. At Buxton & Bakewell Osteopathy Clinic, we see a wide variety of tendon-related knee problems — including patellar tendinopathy, quadriceps tendinopathy, pes anserine tendon issues, and symptoms linked with underlying inflammation such as bursitis. While many treatments offer short-term relief, our expert clinicians use advanced Shockwave Therapy — a non-invasive, evidence-based treatment — to address the root cause of knee tendon pain and help you return to the activities you love.

This comprehensive guide explains the anatomy of knee tendons, common tendon problems, how they differ from bursitis, and why our Shockwave Therapy programme at Buxton & Bakewell Osteopathy Clinic offers a strong treatment advantage.

Understanding Knee Tendon Problems

Tendons are strong, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bone. In the knee, several key tendons work together to stabilise and move the joint:

• The patellar tendon, connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone

• The quadriceps tendon, linking the quadriceps muscles to the kneecap

• The pes anserine tendons, at the inside of the knee

• Other supportive tendons around the knee joint

When these tendons are overloaded, stressed, or repeatedly strained, the fibres can develop micro-tears, inflammation and degeneration, leading to a condition called tendinopathy or tendonitis. This often causes pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty in straightening or flexing the knee.

Common Knee Tendon Conditions

1. Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
Pain in the front of the knee, typically just below the kneecap, is a hallmark sign of patellar tendinopathy. It’s particularly common in athletes who perform repetitive jumping, squatting, or running — such as footballers, runners and gym-goers. Over time, repeated stress can outpace the tendon’s ability to heal, causing chronic pain, reduced function and progressive thickening of the tendon fibres.

2. Quadriceps Tendinopathy
This condition affects the tendon that connects the quadriceps muscles to the knee. It often presents as pain above or around the kneecap, especially during uphill walking, running, stair climbing, or explosive leg movements.

3. Pes Anserine Tendon Pain
The pes anserine tendons are on the inside of the knee. Irritation in this area — sometimes mixed with bursitis — causes tenderness and discomfort, especially with bending or ascent/descent of stairs.

4. Tendon Pain Linked with Bursitis
While bursitis itself is inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion joint tissues, tendon pain often occurs alongside it. Bursitis may worsen friction and stress on nearby tendons, intensifying pain and functional limitations.

How to Spot Knee Tendon Issues: Symptoms to Watch For

Knee tendon problems often present with a combination of the following symptoms:

• Pain near the tendon — usually at the front or inside of the knee

• Pain during activity — especially after running, jumping, squatting or climbing stairs

• Stiffness or tenderness when touching the knee

• Swelling or localised discomfort

• A feeling of weakness or instability when bearing weight

If these symptoms persist for more than 6–8 weeks, they are unlikely to be simple muscle strains and may represent a chronic tendon condition requiring clinical assessment.

Traditional Treatments: What Works — and What Doesn’t

Conventional approaches to knee tendon pain usually begin with:

• Rest and activity modification

• Ice and anti-inflammatory strategies

• Strengthening exercises and physio modalities

• Steroid injections (less widely recommended for long-term tendon health)

While rest and conservative management can help reduce pain initially, many chronic tendon injuries fail to resolve completely with these measures alone. They may simply mask symptoms rather than stimulate healing deep within the tendon tissue.

This is where Shockwave Therapy offers a compelling advantage — it targets tissue regeneration and long-term repair, not just pain relief.

Why Shockwave Therapy Is an Optimal Choice for Knee Tendon Pain

At Buxton & Bakewell Osteopathy Clinic, we use Focused and Radial Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) as a core part of our treatment strategy for chronic tendon problems. Shockwave Therapy uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing mechanisms within the tendon. This non-invasive technology delivers therapeutic sound waves that:

1. Stimulate Tissue Repair

Shockwave causes microtrauma in controlled doses that encourages increased blood flow and activation of the body’s natural healing pathways — particularly useful in tendinopathy where healing has stalled.

2. Reduce Pain and Inflammation

Targeted shockwaves help calm ongoing inflammation and modulate pain signalling — reducing discomfort both during function and at rest.

3. Break Down Calcific Deposits

In some chronic tendon conditions, calcium deposits can form and perpetuate pain. Shockwave Therapy helps break these down so the body can reabsorb them more effectively.

4. Enhance Functional Outcomes

By addressing the underlying tissue dysfunction, patients often regain strength, movement and quality of life faster compared with passive conservative care alone.

Research shows that shockwave therapy can significantly reduce pain and improve function for tendon injuries — with improvements often apparent after just a few treatments.

What to Expect at Your Shockwave Therapy Treatment

When you choose Shockwave Therapy at our clinic:

• You’ll receive a comprehensive assessment to diagnose tendon involvement accurately.

• Treatment is non-surgical, outpatient and requires no anaesthesia.

• Sessions typically last 10–20 minutes and most clients benefit from a course of treatments spaced weekly.

• Many patients report noticeable pain reduction and functional gains within the first few sessions.

This cutting-edge therapy is especially effective when combined with personalised rehabilitation plans designed by our osteopathic experts.

Why Choose Buxton & Bakewell Osteopathy Clinic

As a locally trusted clinic serving Buxton, Bakewell and surrounding Derbyshire, we specialise in musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries. Our team has extensive experience diagnosing complex tendon problems and guiding patients from pain to performance.

We focus on:

• Evidence-based care

• Advanced clinical technology including Shockwave Therapy

• Individualised treatment plans

• Long-term tendon health and function

We combine hands-on osteopathic expertise with the latest non-invasive technology to deliver outcomes that traditional methods alone can’t match.ding local authority in treating knee tendon problems.

Conclusion

Knee tendon problems can be painful, persistent and disabling — but with the right diagnosis and treatment, long-term healing is achievable. At Buxton & Bakewell Osteopathy Clinic, we combine expert osteopathic assessment with advanced Shockwave Therapy to treat the underlying causes of your pain, not just symptoms.

If you’re in Buxton, Bakewell or the surrounding area and struggling with chronic knee tendon pain, contact us today to discover how we can help you regain pain-free movement and return to your favourite activities.