Calcific tendonitis of the Achilles tendon is a common cause of pain in the back of the ankle and often affects active people and athletes. Currently, minimally invasive techniques guided by real-time ultrasound, such as Tenex Health , allow for the treatment of degenerated tendon tissue and accumulated calcifications without the need for conventional open surgery.
Calcific tendonitis of the Achilles tendon is a common cause of pain in the back of the ankle, especially in active people and athletes. In this condition, calcium deposits form within the tendon, causing inflammation, pain when walking or running, and functional limitations in daily life.
Traditionally, when conservative treatments like physiotherapy or shockwave therapy were ineffective, the only option was open Achilles tendon surgery. However, minimally invasive techniques guided by real-time ultrasound, such as the Tenex Health procedure, now exist that allow for the treatment of degenerated tendon tissue and calcifications without the need for conventional surgery.
At Traumaestudi, we use this ultrasound-guided technology to treat various tendon pathologies, including calcific Achilles tendinitis.
What is calcific tendonitis of the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. It connects the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus).
When the Achilles tendon suffers repeated micro-tears due to overuse or prolonged strain, a progressive degeneration of the tendon tissue, known as tendinopathy, can occur. In some cases, this degeneration leads to calcium deposits within the tendon, a condition known as calcific tendonitis.
Representación 3D del tendón de Aquiles para tendinopatía Aquiles ecoguiada
This condition can cause:
- pain in the back of the heel
- stiffness at the start of walking
- pain when running or climbing stairs
- local inflammation
- decreased athletic performance
If the injury progresses, the tendon loses structural quality and can become more vulnerable.
Common treatments before considering surgery
Initial treatment for calcific tendinopathy usually includes conservative measures:
- relative rest from sports
- specific physiotherapy
- eccentric exercises
- shock waves
- infiltrations
However, when these measures fail to eliminate the degenerated tissue or calcifications, symptoms can persist for months.
Until a few years ago, the only solution was Achilles tendon surgery, which involves:
- surgical incision
- longer recovery time
- increased risk of complications
There is currently a much less invasive alternative.
Tenex Health: minimally invasive ultrasound-guided treatment
Procedimiento Tenex para el tratamiento de la tendinopatía Aquiles ecoguiada
The Tenex Health system is an advanced percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy technique, designed to treat chronic tendinopathy by removing degenerated tissue.
The procedure involves inserting an ultrasound-guided microcannula, which uses ultrasonic energy to fragment and aspirate the damaged tendon tissue.
This treatment allows:
- eliminate degenerated tissue
- remove microcalcifications
- stimulate tendon regeneration
- preserve healthy tissue
All of this without open surgery.
How is the Tenex procedure performed?
The procedure is usually performed in the office and lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.
Treatment steps
- Local anesthesia
- Ultrasound monitoring of the tendon
- Introduction of a 2-3 mm microcannula
- Removal of degenerated tissue using ultrasonic energy
- Aspiration of the treated material
The procedure is performed through a small incision, without the need for open surgery.
Advantages of Tenex treatment versus surgery
Treatment with Tenex offers multiple advantages:
- minimally invasive technique
- Ultrasound-guided procedure
- Incision of barely 2-3 mm
- Faster recovery
- Less postoperative pain
- Low risk of complications
- It allows the treatment of chronic tendinopathy without open surgery.
In many cases the patient can walk again the same day.
Recovery after treatment
Recovery is usually quick.
For guidance only:
- relative rest for a few days
- progressive physiotherapy
- gradual return to sport in 4-6 weeks
The goal of treatment is to restore tendon quality and eliminate chronic pain.
Who can benefit from this treatment?
Treatment with Tenex may be an option for patients with:
- calcific tendinopathy of the Achilles
- chronic tendinopathy that does not improve with physiotherapy
- persistent pain in the Achilles tendon
- failure of conservative treatments
The indication should always be made after a specialized clinical and ultrasound assessment.
Treatment of tendinopathy without surgery at Traumaestudi
At Traumaestudi we specialize in the advanced treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies using minimally invasive ultrasound-guided techniques.
The use of technologies like Tenex Health allows for the treatment of chronic tendon injuries without conventional surgery, promoting a faster and safer recovery.
If you experience persistent pain in your Achilles tendon, it is important to have a specialist evaluation to determine the most appropriate treatment.