Insurance providers report that over 20 million people suffer from plantar fasciitis every year. Plantar fasciitis is the painful inflammation of the fascia tissue that connects the heel of the foot to the toes. When this tissue becomes inflamed, it causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot. Many sufferers of plantar fasciitis have learned to live with the pain associated with it because traditional treatment methods fail to bring relief.
Traditional treatment methods for treating plantar fasciitis and the pain associated with it include rest, limiting or ceasing physical activity, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections. These treatments typically bring a brief respite from pain but do not fully eliminate fascia inflammation. Additional treatments include exercise, stretching and the use of special insoles or orthotic heel cups, but these other treatments are also temporary. A more invasive solution for chronic sufferers is plantar fasciitis release surgery which releases tension in the fascia tissue by partially cutting the fascia band. Other surgical treatments may involve manipulating nerves in the foot to control or relieve a patient’s pain, but lasting results are not guaranteed. Many plantar fasciitis sufferers have painful heel spurs that have developed as a result of plantar fascia inflammation and must be removed. These traditional surgical options are painful and have patients off their feet for up to six months for recovery.
While these traditional methods do provide some relief for plantar fasciitis sufferers, they are only temporary. Traditional treatments may result in significant downtime for the patient and only treat, but do not eliminate the problem of inflamed tissue. Sufferers of plantar fascia pain are now finding quick and permanent relief with advanced tendon treatment known as Tenex TX1.
Tenex TX1 is surgical procedure known as Percutaneous Tenotomy (or Percutaneous Fasciotomy in the case of plantar fasciitis). Tenex TX1 was developed in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic and is a surgical instrument that allows physicians to treat plantar fasciitis and tendonitis using ultrasonic energy. Through the use of ultrasound technology, doctors are able to locate, target and completely excise affected tissue without impacting healthy tissue surrounding it.
Tenex TX1 is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that takes 15 to 20 minutes. Tenex TX1 is performed in a provider’s office and usually does not require a referral from a primary care physician. Patients are given a local anesthetic, and the doctor makes a 3 mm incision and inserts a small ultrasonic probe to locate the impacted tissue. This probe focuses the ultrasonic energy to the site and enables the doctor to cut away damaged tissue and leave the healthy tendon completely intact. Some patients report feeling a slight pressure during the procedure, but many patients feel nothing during the surgery.
Tenex TX1 also allows physicians to remove painful bone spurs that may have developed as a result of plantar fasciitis. This is a significant benefit for patients as it provides fast relief without the pain associated with traditional surgery.
Unlike other traditional surgical options, patients choosing Tenex TX1 only require a small bandage to cover the incision and occasionally may need to be splinted during the healing process. “The recovery period after Tenex TX1 ranges from two to six weeks, but most patients quickly return to their normal activities,” says Dr. Michael W. Budler, M.D., of Advanced Radiology located in Grand Island, Nebraska. Budler was the first physician in Nebraska to utilize Tenex TX1 to treat patients with plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. “The benefit of Tenex TX1 for patients is reduced recovery time – most patients get back to normal activity quickly,” says Budler. A video found on AdvancedRadiologygi.com demonstrates the procedure.
Tenex TX1 ultrasonic surgery is also a valuable treatment for patients experiencing tendonitis in other areas like the elbow, knee or shoulder. If you’re suffering from tennis elbow or jumper’s knee, Tenex TX1 may be the solution you need to get back to the game quickly.