Most tendon-related problems get better with treatments such as physical therapy, ice, heat, orthotics or splinting. But when those treatments don’t work, needle tenotomy may be an option.
While percutaneous needle tenotomy has only been around for 10 years, the procedure is becoming mainstream medicine and a standard of care for patients struggling with tendon pain.
What is needle tenotomy?
Percutaneous means “affected through the skin,” and tenotomy means cutting or removal of tendon tissue. Percutaneous needle tenotomy is a procedure to pierce the damaged parts of the tendon with a needle through the skin under ultrasound guidance. The goal is to promote the body’s healing response.
The doctor starts by numbing the area, which may cause mild discomfort. The entire procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes, and you can go home the same day. Any pain you have after the procedure should subside within a few days.
There’s a pinch and a burn when the numbing medication is injected. A small needle is moved through the affected tendon to disrupt and remove damaged tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact.
How does needle tenotomy work?
Tendons don’t get a lot of blood supply and they use less oxygen than muscles. The idea of this procedure is to produce inflammation, break up scar tissue and increase blood flow to the tendon by repeatedly piercing the damaged tissue with a needle. This allows the body’s own cells to begin the process of rebuilding the tendon.
The fresh, oxygenated blood produced by percutaneous needle tenotomy can trick the body into thinking that a decades-old nonhealing injury is a new injury. And the body sends its healing resources to the affected area to repair this injury.
The procedure can also break up calcium deposits in the tendon as well.
Who can benefit from needle tenotomy?
Percutaneous needle tenotomy is appropriate for people of all ages and activity levels. It can be especially helpful for people who may not be candidates for surgical tendon repair.
Patients that might benefit
- Tennis and Golfers Elbow
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Hip Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
Schedule a Consultation
At Wake Non-surgical Ortho we specialize in providing patients with non-surgical orthopedic treatments like tendonitis injections. We will take the time to provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis and answer any questions you may have about the non-surgical procedure. Don’t wait! Contact us today to experience pain relief without the risk of surgery. Call (919) 719-2270, or schedule an appointment.