Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Tenotomy

What is Percutaneous Tenotomy?

 

Percutaneous tenotomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat chronic tendon injuries that have not healed with rest, therapy, or other conservative treatments. When tendons are injured, they can develop thickened, scarred, or degenerative tissue that causes ongoing pain and limits function. This procedure gently removes the damaged tissue, stimulating the body’s natural healing response and allowing healthy tendon fibers to grow.

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How is it Performed?

 

Under real-time ultrasound guidance, the injured tendon is clearly identified.

• A small device is inserted through a tiny skin opening—no stitches required.

• The device carefully breaks down and removes the damaged tendon tissue while preserving healthy tissue.

• The entire procedure is done in the office, typically in less than 30 minutes.​​

 

What Patients Can Expect

 

Minimally invasive with no need for general anesthesia or stitches

• Soreness is common for a few days as the tendon begins to heal

• Patients typically return to light activities within a few days, with gradual return to sports or exercise as healing progresses

• Most patients experience steady improvement over several weeks to months as the tendon regenerates

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Conditions Treated with Percutaneous Tenotomy

 

This procedure is highly effective for many common tendon problems, including:

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)​​

• Achilles tendonitis/tendinopathy

• Plantar fasciitis

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy

• Patellar tendonitis (“jumper’s knee”)

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