In the interest of providing our patients with the most advanced care available, Dr. Philip Shupe offers an innovative treatment option using Tenex Health TX in our practice. Tenex Health TX is a minimally invasive technology designed to gently breakdown and removes pain-causing tissue at its source. Since the surrounding healthy tendon is not disturbed, patients enjoy less discomfort and quicker recovery times versus traditional open surgery. Tenex Health TX achieves the same goal as open surgery but is minimally invasive and typically performed using a local anesthetic in an outpatient setting. It offers a quick, safe, and effective way to provide relief for individuals who suffer from tendon or plantar fascia pain. We can also effectively treat patients who’ve had failed open surgical procedures.

You may benefit from treatment with Tenex Health TX if you suffer with:

• Achilles tendonitis (ankle)
• Haglund’s deformity
• Peroneal tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis (foot and ankle or heel)
• Calcific deposits in the tendon
• Pain associated with a bone spur or bony prominence
• Diabetic foot and ankle ulcer

What causes tendon and plantar fascia pain?

The soft tissue pain many of us feel in the foot and ankle can be caused by a number of factors, including trauma (such as damage to a tendon from a hit, twist, or pull to the joint) or repetitive motion (such as damage to a tendon from overuse in work, exercise, or activity). It can also be called tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. Eventually, the damaged tissue will limit our ability to move the joint and perform the activities that we need or like to do. If left untreated, joint pain will likely become worse over time. In some instances, this may also lead to the formation of calcification within the tendon, which can further increase pain.

It can also be caused by a bone spur. A bone spur (osteophyte or enthesophyte) is a bony growth formed on normal bone that can press or rub on surrounding tissues. This can cause inflammation, wear and tear, and pain. Restricting use may help reduce the symptoms, but if the source of pain is a bone spur, the symptoms will usually recur.

The patient benefits with Tenex Health TX

If you have tried physical therapy, cortisone injections, medication, or just taking time to ice, stretch and rest and are still in pain, talk to us.

The patient benefits may include:^*

• Rapid pain relief
• Rapid recovery and return to normal activities in 6-8 weeks (compared to 6 months or more with an open surgical procedure)
• Only a one-time treatment
• Typically performed with local anesthetic
• No stitches (requires only a small, adhesive bandage)
• Well-tolerated procedure
• Does not disturb surrounding healthy tendon
• Stimulates a healing response in the tendon

^* Tenex Health TX is clinically proven to remove tendon pain for over 85% of patients.^1,2,3,4,5 Individual results may vary.

How does Tenex Health TX work?

It precisely targets your damaged tissue. We will visualize and identify the specific location of the damaged tendon/plantar fascia tissue, bone spur, or calcific deposit.

It removes the damaged tissue. Once the source of your pain is identified, we numb the area with a local anesthetic, allowing you to stay awake the entire time. Many people say after the numbing process—which feels like a bee sting—they felt only a slight pressure during the procedure (if they felt anything at all). Using ultrasonic energy through the TX System, we can safely breakdown and precisely remove the diseased tissue. The ultrasonic energy is applied with the TX MicroTip, which requires only a small incision to be introduced into the damaged tissue. The energy is effective for the cutting and removal of degenerative tissue and bone, while the healthy tendon is left unharmed.

It requires no stitches. When the procedure is complete, we apply a small adhesive bandage; no stitches are required. Because you are awake during the procedure (no general anesthesia), many people are able to drive home afterward.

It can offer rapid pain relief and faster recovery. Recovery is rapid with many people being back to normal activity within 6-8 weeks or less. Because of the minimally invasive approach and targeted removal of tissue, there is minimal downtime and less discomfort compared to open surgery. The speed of your recovery depends on the location and the extent of the damaged tissue being treated.

VIDEO: Watch how your doctor uses Tenex Health TX to treat chronic tendon and plantar fascia pain:

The medical procedure called percutaneous tenotomy or percutaneous fasciotomy using the Tenex Health TX System is specifically designed for those suffering from painful conditions associated with chronic tendon or plantar fascia damage. It is also known as chronic tendinosis/plantar fasciosis or tendinopathy/plantar fasciopathy. For more information, visit www.tenexhealth.com.