Tenex

Tenex offers a minimally invasive way to gently remove damaged tendon tissue, helping you relieve chronic pain, support healing, and return to the activities you enjoy — without the downtime or risks of traditional surgery.

Women doing yoga after talking with her doctor about orthobiologics

What is Tenex?

Tenex is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic tendon pain that has not improved with rest, physical therapy, medications, or injections. The procedure uses ultrasound guidance and a specialized device to precisely remove damaged tendon tissue while preserving healthy tissue.

The Tenex system uses a small, needle-sized instrument that delivers ultrasonic energy to break down and remove scarred or degenerated tissue. By eliminating unhealthy tissue, Tenex helps stimulate the body’s natural healing process and reduce pain.

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Conditions

Tennis Elbow
Golfer’s Elbow
Plantar Fasciitis
Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy

Quadriceps tendinopathy
Patellar tendinopathy
Achilles tendinopathy

Frequently Asked Questions About Tenex

Who is a good candidate for Tenex?

Tenex may be recommended for patients with chronic tendon pain lasting 3 to 6 months or longer who have not improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, bracing, medications, or injections.

Is Tenex considered a surgery?

Tenex is considered a minimally invasive procedure, not traditional open surgery. It uses a tiny incision (about the size of a needle) and does not require general anesthesia.

Before the procedure is scheduled, patients will have an initial consultation with the performing physician to determine if Tenex is the right treatment. During this visit, your doctor will review your symptoms, prior treatments, and any imaging. Tenex is not performed on a same-day basis.

Although minimally invasive, Tenex does require a short period of downtime and recovery:

Most patients return to full activities in about 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the treatment area and individual healing
Rest and activity modification are needed to support healing
Patients often work with a physical or occupational therapist
Lower extremity procedures may require a boot or crutches for 1 to 3 weeks
Upper extremity procedures may require a brace or sling

What happens during the procedure?

The area is numbed with local anesthesia
Ultrasound is used to precisely locate the damaged tissue
A small instrument is inserted through a tiny incision
Ultrasonic energy breaks down and removes unhealthy tendon tissue, while saline is used to flush out and clear the damaged tissue
A small bandage is applied — stitches are usually not needed