Minimally invasive technology to treat chronic tendon and plantar fascia disease at its source.

Are you suffering from chronic tendon or plantar fascia pain?

Our practice offers a revolutionary, single-procedure treatment option for chronic tendon and plantar fascia pain that takes only minutes under local anesthesia. Speak with us if you’ve been suffering with:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Peroneal Tendinitis
  • Heel Pain

Tendonitis or Chronic Tendon Disease?

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon - the thick, fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. It causes joint pain, especially when exercising or doing repetitive motions. Sometimes your tendon may also be weak, red, swollen and warm to the touch. If these symptoms persist past 3 months, you may have Chronic Tendon Disease.

If your condition is chronic, you may be a candidate for treatment using advanced ultrasonic technology – clinically proven to remove tendon pain for over 85% of patients.

The technology uses ultrasonic energy to treat pain-causing soft and hard tissue through a minimally invasive percutaneous approach.

This technique helps patients restore musculoskeletal function without the need for invasive surgery or general anesthesia, may give you quick pain relief, and should have you back to enjoying the things you love in a few weeks to a few months. This treatment can also be effective in cases of failed open, surgical procedures.

Patient benefits may include:*

  • Avoidance of expensive surgical facility fees and high deductible balances
  • 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
  • *individual results may vary
 

How does the treatment work?

Precisely targets your damaged tissue. Your doctor will visualize and identify the specific location of the damaged tendon tissue, bone spur or calcific deposit.

Removes the damaged tissue. Once the source of your pain is identified, your doctor numbs 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). Your doctor then uses ultrasonic energy designed to safely break down and remove the target, diseased tissue. The ultrasonic energy is applied with a device, 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 healthy tendon is left unharmed.

Requires no stitches. When the procedure is completed, your doctor applies 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 afterwards.  

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.

Clinical References: 1Freed L, Ellis M, Johnson K, Haddon T. Fasciotomy and surgical tenotomy for chronic Achilles insertional tendinopathy: a retrospective study using ultrasound-guided percutaneous microresection. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2019; 109(1):1-8. 2Koh JS, Mohan PC, Howe TS, Lee BP, Chia SL, Yang Z, Morrey BF. Fasciotomy and surgical tenotomy for chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy: early clinical experience with a novel device for minimally invasive percutaneous microresection. Am J Sports Med. 2013; 41(3):636-644. 3Patel M. A novel treatment method for refractory plantar fasciitis. Am J Orthop. 2015;44(3):107-110. 4Razdan R, Vanderwoude E, Braun A, Morrey BF. Percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy: a novel approach to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. J Surg Proced Tech. 2018;3(102):1-6. 5Seng C, Mohan PC, Koh SB, Howe TS, Lim YG, Lee BP, Morrey BF. Ultrasonic percutaneous tenotomy for recalcitrant lateral elbow tendinopathy: sustainability and sonographic progression at 3 years. Am J Sports Med. 2016; 44(2):504-510. (epublished: Nov 2015).

Watch how your doctor uses the minimally invasive technology to treat chronic tendon and plantar fascia pain

The medical procedure called percutaneous tenotomy or percutaneous fasciotomy using the advanced technology 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.

Dr. Balloch

Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists

At Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists, you can expect to receive the finest care from Dr. Rachel Balloch:

  • Board-certified in foot, reconstructive rearfoot, and ankle surgery
  • Over 12 years of experience
  • Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
  • Extensively trained in diverse foot and ankle conditions

To schedule your consultation, contact us online or call us at (860) 674-0284.

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