Tenex
The Tenex procedure is a minimally invasive non-surgical procedure that help those who are suffering from chronic tendon pain by non-surgically removing damaged scar tissue and calcifications in the tendons. This procedure, developed by Tenex Health in collaboration with a world-renowned US Clinic, is particularly effective on the tendons of the elbow, shoulder, knees, and ankle. It is an ultrasou
What it is
Performed under local anaesthetic and ultrasound guidance. A small probe is introduced through a 3mm incision; ultrasonic energy debrides the degenerate tendon fibres. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes. Recovery is typically 4-6 weeks; most patients are back to office work the next day.
When this is relevant
- Chronic lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow) failing 6 months of conservative management.
- Chronic medial elbow pain (golfer's elbow).
- Plantar fasciitis lasting >6 months despite physio and orthotics.
- Achilles tendinopathy (mid-substance or insertional) failing eccentric loading programme.
- Patellar tendinopathy or hamstring origin tendinopathy in athletes.
How we investigate
Detailed history, examination, ultrasound confirmation of tendinopathy, MRI where indicated to exclude alternative pathology.
Options at The Vesey
- Conservative management first - eccentric loading, physiotherapy, activity modification, orthotics, eccentric or heavy-slow resistance programmes - sustained for at least 3-6 months.
- Image-guided steroid or PRP injection - selected cases.
- Tenex procedure - under local anaesthetic, 15-20 minutes, 4-6 week structured rehab afterwards.
- Post-procedure physiotherapy mandatory for durable benefit.
- Surgical referral reserved for cases where Tenex / PRP fail.
How does Tenex compare to a steroid injection for tendinopathy? +
Steroid injections reduce inflammation quickly but do not remove degenerate tissue; pain often returns within months, and repeated injections can weaken the tendon. Tenex physically debrides the pathological tissue under ultrasound guidance, aiming for durable resolution rather than symptomatic relief. Most evidence favours Tenex for chronic tendinopathy that has already failed one or two steroid injections.
How long is recovery after the Tenex procedure? +
Most patients return to desk work the day after the procedure. Structured physiotherapy rehabilitation typically runs for 4–6 weeks. Return to sport or heavy manual work is usually 6–12 weeks depending on the tendon treated and the demands of your activity.
Can multiple tendons be treated at the same session? +
In principle yes, but we typically treat one tendon per session to monitor healing and limit the area of post-procedural discomfort. If you have bilateral tennis elbow, for example, we would usually treat the dominant side first and review at 6 weeks before treating the other.
What is the success rate of the Tenex procedure? +
Published studies report 75–85% of patients achieving significant pain reduction at 12 months, comparable to surgical débridement but with a much faster recovery. Results are best in patients who have genuinely exhausted conservative management (eccentric loading, physiotherapy, at least one image-guided injection) rather than moving straight to Tenex after a few weeks of rest.
Pricing at a glance
Initial pain medicine consultation £260. Diagnostic ultrasound £180. Tenex procedure from £1,950 all-inclusive (consent, procedure, drugs, written report). Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to book
Book if you have chronic tendinopathy that has failed 6 months of conservative management and you want a minimally-invasive option before considering surgery.
Cost and pathway
Initial pain medicine consultation £260. Diagnostic ultrasound £180. Tenex procedure from £1,950 all-inclusive (consent, procedure, drugs, written report).
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our pain medicine team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.88/5 on Doctify from 700+ verified reviews
View our pain medicine services →
Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · 0121 387 3727