Tenex® Procedure for Chronic Tendon Pain Relief

If you’ve been living with chronic tendon pain that hasn’t improved with rest, physical therapy, or injections, the Tenex® procedure may offer the relief you’ve been looking for. This innovative, minimally invasive treatment targets damaged tendon tissue to reduce pain and restore function—without the need for traditional surgery.

What Is the Tenex Procedure?

The Tenex® procedure, also known as ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy, is an outpatient treatment designed to remove degenerated tissue from tendons and soft tissue structures using advanced ultrasound technology. Developed by Tenex Health, this technique uses a small, ultrasonic tool inserted through a tiny incision to safely break down and remove scar tissue, relieving pressure and inflammation.

Conditions Commonly Treated with Tenex

Tenex is especially effective for treating tendonitis and tendinopathy in areas where the tendon has become thickened, painful, or scarred. Common treatment areas include:

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)

• Achilles tendonitis

• Plantar fasciitis

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy

• Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)

• Gluteal tendinopathy (hip pain)

Benefits of the Tenex Procedure

• Minimally invasive with no stitches and a tiny incision

• Outpatient procedure—typically completed in 15–30 minutes

• Faster recovery than traditional surgery

• Preserves healthy tissue while targeting only damaged areas

• FDA-approved and backed by clinical success

What to Expect During the Procedure

The Tenex procedure is performed under local anesthesia in a clinical setting. Your provider will use real-time ultrasound imaging to guide a small probe into the area of damaged tissue. The probe emits ultrasonic energy to break down and remove scar tissue, all through a tiny incision about 3mm wide. Once the tissue is cleared, a small bandage is applied—no stitches needed.

Recovery and Results

Most patients experience relief within several weeks and return to normal activities much faster than with traditional surgery. Some soreness may occur initially, but downtime is minimal. Your doctor may recommend a short course of physical therapy to support healing and improve mobility.

Is Tenex Right for You?

If you’ve had tendon pain for more than three months and conservative treatments haven’t helped, you may be a candidate for the Tenex procedure. A specialist at Orthopaedic Associates of Wisconsin can assess your condition and help determine if Tenex is an appropriate next step in your recovery.