Tenex Health TX is a unique and minimally invasive procedure (medically known as a percutaneous needle tenotomy) conducted to remove damaged, pain-inducing tendon tissue and stimulate a healing response from the body. The procedure effectively treats tendon conditions including tendonitis and/or tendinosis of joints such as the shoulder, knee and elbow. Due to the nature of the procedure, there is minimal downtime and little to no pain or discomfort involved.
How does Tenex Health TX work?
Guided by ultrasound imaging, Dr. Christopher Doumas of University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA) is able to visualize and identify the precise location of the damaged tendon. Once the damaged tendon has been identified and pinpointed, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic and gentle ultrasonic energy is applied to safely breakdown the tissue. The ultrasonic energy is applied with the TX MicroTip, a small needle that is inserted through a three to four millimeter incision in the skin and used to remove the damaged tissue without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
Following the procedure, a small adhesive bandage is applied over the incision for healing without the need for stitches. In addition, since no general anesthesia is required, most patients are able to drive home without assistance and resume regular activity within a short period of time.
What conditions can be treated with Tenex Health TX?
At UOA, Dr. Doumas utilizes Tenex Health TX to effectively treat tendon pain associated with the shoulder, knee and elbow.
Shoulder Tendon Pain
Rotator cuff tendinitis is damage or irritation to the tendons located within the rotator cuff, a series of muscles and tendons which keep the upper arm bone and shoulder together, causing pain and tenderness in the front of the shoulder.
Though it can occur without any known cause, rotator cuff tendonitis is a common injury in young athletes and middle-aged patients who excessively swing their arms overhead during activities such as swimming, baseball and painting. It may also be caused by an “impingement” or rubbing of the tendon against acromion, another part of the rotator cuff.
Knee Tendon Pain
Patellar tendonitis, also known as “jumper’s knee”, is an injury to the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone (tibia). The patellar tendon allows for movements such as running, jumping and kicking. Overuse of this tendon from the harsh, repetitive motion of sports and sports training can cause small tears in it, resulting in knee pain.
Though anyone can injure the patellar tendon and it can certainly occur in any sport, patellar tendonitis is most commonly found in athletes who participate in sports that require frequent jumping, such as basketball.
Elbow Tendon Pain
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “tennis elbow”, is an overuse injury of the tendons located within the elbow that occurs when there is repetitive motion of the wrist and arm. This results in small tears of the tendon that attach the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow, causing inflammation and pain that radiates from elbow to forearm to wrist.
While the nickname implies a sports-related injury, other repetitive arm motions such as plumbing, painting and chopping food ingredients may cause lateral epicondylitis. The same and similar motions may also contribute to medial epicondylitis or “golfer’s elbow”, micro tears in the tendon that attaches the forearm muscles to the bump on the inside of the elbow.
About Dr. Doumas and UOA
Dr. Christopher Doumas is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon at UOA with a subspecialty in surgery of the hand and upper extremity and Director of Hand Surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He completed a fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA as well as a residency and internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital through the University of Miami in Miami, FL. Dr. Doumas is part of the hand and upper extremity team at UOA comprised of award-winning, certified physicians who have specific training in this area of expertise.
With advanced diagnostic testing onsite and a variety of treatment options available, this multidisciplinary team creates a customized care plan for patients of all ages and activity levels.
For more information on how Dr. Doumas and Tenex Health TX may treat your tendon pain or to schedule an appointment, contact us or fill out our appointment request form.
