When you’re used to being active, whether it’s just taking in a casual tennis match on your neighborhood court or playing on a college or professional level, pain can take you out of the game for a while. Sports medicine specialist, Siatta B. Dunbar, DO, CAQSM, can offer a variety of treatments — including the cutting-edge Tenex Health TX system — to help you get back to your active lifestyle. Book an appointment by giving us a call today.

Tenex is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to treat tendon damage in the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, Achilles and plantar fascia in the foot. Tenex or the Tenex Health TX system, as it’s sometimes called, removes damaged tissue using ultrasonic energy. The TX refers to the surgical micro-tip that cuts the tissue. Tenex was developed with the Mayo Clinic and has been used in the United States since 2012.

Tenex is an FDA-cleared, minimally invasive treatment with numerous benefits. The Tenex Health TX system:

Is done as an outpatient procedure Doesn’t require a general anesthesia Usually is done in one treatment* Targets pain at its source not disturbing healthy tissue Doesn’t require sutures or stitches — an adhesive bandage covers the wound Quickens recovery time — typically 6-8 weeks* or one-quarter of the recovery time compared to open surgery

Tenex is an outpatient procedure that is fairly straightforward. First, Dr. Dunbar preps the area of your body where the procedure will take place by first washing it with disinfectant soap and then numbing it with a local anesthetic.

Then, using an ultrasound, she identifies the specific location of the damaged tendon, so the TX micro tip does not disturb healthy tissue. She then makes a small incision about one-quarter inch in length and inserts the microtip. At this point, you may feel pressure.

Once the micro tip is inside, it uses high-frequency ultrasonic energy to break down and remove the damaged tissue. Dr. Dunbar then closes the wound with an adhesive bandage.

The actual procedure time will vary depending on your particular case, but typically a Tenex procedure takes about 15 minutes. Since you only received a local anesthetic and your Tenex procedure doesn’t require stitches, Dr. Dunbar may allow you to drive home. She provides each patient with specific post-procedure instructions.  

If you have been suffering from tendonitis and want to learn if you are a good candidate for the Tenex Health TX system, book a consultation with Dr. Dunbar at her practice in Burnsville, Minnesota. She’ll help you get back to being your usually active self. Book an appointment by giving us a call today.

* Individual results may vary

Learn more about Tenex from Dr. Dunbar here: 

Blog: Tenex vs PRP Author Dr. Siatta Dunbar

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