TENEX Procedure

The TENEX procedure, or percutaneous tenotomy, is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat tendinopathy, a painful condition resulting from tendon damage typically due to overuse or chronic wear and tear. Tendinopathy is a broad term used to describe issues with a tendon. Tendinopathy commonly affects the rotator cuff, Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, elbow, and gluteal tendons. More specifically, tendons can be affected by tendonitis, inflammation of the tendon, or tendinosis, which is chronic degeneration without inflammation. TENEX is an FDA-approved procedure that can help treat tendinopathy.

Procedure overview:

• The TENEX procedure begins with diagnostic ultrasound, which visualizes the damaged tendon and identifies the specific location of the degenerated tissue.
• The targeted area is numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
• A tiny incision is made, and the TENEX device, which combines ultrasonic energy with aspiration, is inserted into the damaged tendon tissue.
• The ultrasonic energy breaks down and emulsifies the damaged tissue, which is then aspirated out of the body, leaving the healthy tissue intact.
• The incision is so small that stitches are often unnecessary, and the site can be closed with an adhesive bandage.
• Recovery is typically 4-6 weeks, with sport-specific rehabilitation from 6-12 weeks.

The advantages of this procedure include:

• It is minimally invasive, which means only a small incision is needed, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring.
• It is typically an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour to complete.
• Patients can often return to normal activities within a few weeks, compared to the months of recovery that may be required after traditional open surgery.
• Ultrasound guidance allows for targeted treatment of only the damaged tendon tissue.
• Many patients experience significant pain relief after the procedure.

TENEX was developed at the Mayo Clinic and has been shown to help tendon pain in over 85% of patients.