Due to the novelty of percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy, the risks and benefits of this minimally invasive procedure for insertional Achilles tendinopathy pain have only been examined in case studies and retrospective chart reviews for other diagnoses. This retrospective chart review over a 3.5‐year period identified 34 patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy who had percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy (mean age ± SD, 52.2 ± 11.6 years; mean body mass index, 32.9 ± 7.5 kg/m2; 62% female). This procedure reduced the rate of moderate/severe pain from 68% at baseline to 15% at the long‐term follow‐up and had a satisfaction rate of 70%. There was 1 minor complication out of 40 procedures in 34 patients.

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Background: Ultrasound guided tenotomy (USGT) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic tendinopathy who fail to benefit from conservative exercise interventions. The complication rate and effectiveness of USGT remain poorly defined in the literature. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the risks associated with USGT and outcomes across upper extremity and lower extremity tendinopathy/fasciopathy sites. Methods Patients who had USGT at the elbow, patellar, or Achilles tendons or along the plantar fascia were identified by retrospective review of charts. Screening for complications (infection, tendon rupture, and hypersensitivity) and satisfaction with the procedure were assessed at routine short-term follow-up visits and at long-term follow-up via phone/email. Outcomes (pain, quality of life) were assessed using the region specific pain scales and the Short Form-12, respectively, at baseline prior to the procedure, short-term follow up, and long term follow up. Results: A total of 262 patients were identified through chart review. There was a low complication rate of 0.7% including one superficial wound infection and one case of wound hypersensitivity. Prior to USGT, the majority of patients reported moderate/daily pain that decreased by short-term and long-term follow-up to mild/occasional pain (p < 0.05). Additionally, most patients reported abnormally low physical function prior to USGT that was within normal range of physical function by long-term follow-up (p < 0.05). The majority of responders (63% at the plantar fascia to 92% at the Achilles midportion) reported being either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘somewhat satisfied’ with the procedure at short-term follow-up. Conclusions: This study found that USGT is a safe procedure with a low complication rate in a heterogeneous sample. Study findings provide preliminary evidence on the utility of USGT to reduce pain and improve function with a high rate of patient satisfaction.

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