Everything You Need to Know About Tenex Surgery in Equine

Tendon and ligament injuries are among the most frustrating conditions faced by horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians. Whether affecting a performance horse, pleasure horse, or young athlete, these injuries often require lengthy rehabilitation periods and can significantly impact future soundness. Fortunately, advances in veterinary medicine have created new treatment options that improve healing and help horses return to work more successfully. One of the most exciting developments is Tenex surgery in equine patients.

Tenex is a minimally invasive procedure designed to remove damaged tissue from tendons and ligaments while preserving healthy fibers. Originally developed for use in human orthopedic medicine, this technology has become an increasingly valuable tool in equine sports medicine and surgery.

What Is Tenex Surgery in Equine Patients?

Tenex surgery uses ultrasonic energy to break down and remove unhealthy scar tissue within tendons and ligaments. Chronic tendon and ligament injuries often heal by forming fibrous scar tissue rather than regenerating normal collagen fibers. While scar tissue helps fill damaged areas, it lacks the strength, elasticity, and function of healthy tendon tissue.

The Tenex system is designed to target and remove this abnormal tissue. Using ultrasound guidance, a veterinarian inserts a specialized probe into the affected area. The probe emits ultrasonic energy that breaks apart scar tissue while preserving surrounding healthy structures. The damaged material is then removed through the instrument.

By eliminating nonfunctional scar tissue, the body is given an opportunity to replace the damaged area with healthier collagen during the healing process.

Why Scar Tissue Can Be a Problem

When tendons and ligaments are injured, the body’s natural response is to repair the area as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this repair process often produces scar tissue that is less organized than normal tendon fibers.

Scar tissue can create several challenges:

Reduced flexibility
Lower tensile strength
Increased risk of reinjury
Persistent lameness
Poor athletic performance

Many traditional therapies focus on managing inflammation and supporting healing. While these treatments can be effective, they do not necessarily remove the abnormal tissue that remains after injury. Tenex offers a different approach by directly addressing the damaged tissue itself.

Conditions That May Benefit From Tenex

Tenex surgery in equine medicine is commonly used for chronic tendon and ligament injuries that have not fully responded to conservative treatment.

Potential applications include:

Chronic tendonitis
Suspensory ligament injuries
Insertional desmitis
Tendon fiber disruption
Calcific tendinopathies
Select chronic soft tissue injuries

Veterinarians evaluate each horse individually to determine whether the procedure is appropriate. Diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound plays an important role in identifying lesions and planning treatment.

How the Procedure Is Performed

The procedure is performed using ultrasound guidance, allowing the veterinarian to precisely target damaged tissue. After the horse is placed under general anesthesia and the surgical site has been prepped, a small incision is created to allow insertion of the Tenex probe.

Once positioned within the lesion, ultrasonic energy breaks apart the abnormal tissue. The damaged material is removed while healthy fibers are preserved whenever possible.

Although the active treatment portion often takes only a few minutes, careful imaging and preparation help ensure accuracy and effectiveness.

To allow for utmost accuracy and precision, Countryside Equine Hospital veterinarians perform the procedure by laying the horse down under general anesthesia, much like how we perform castration surgeries. This approach improves patient comfort during treatment and provides the veterinarian with optimal access to the treatment site.

What Recovery Looks Like

One of the advantages of Tenex surgery in equine patients is the relatively straightforward rehabilitation process.

Following treatment, horses typically begin a controlled recovery program designed to support healthy tissue regeneration. While every case is different, rehabilitation often includes:

Initial stall rest
Small paddock or pen turnout
Gradual increases in controlled exercise
Periodic ultrasound evaluations
Progressive return to riding and training

Many horses can begin light work under saddle relatively early in the recovery process compared with more invasive surgical procedures. The exact timeline depends on the severity and location of the original injury. Close communication between the veterinary team, owner, and trainer is essential to achieving the best outcome.

Benefits of Tenex Surgery

The growing interest in Tenex surgery stems from several important advantages.

Minimally Invasive

Only a very small incision is required, reducing tissue trauma and minimizing recovery complications.

Targeted Treatment

Ultrasound guidance allows veterinarians to focus directly on damaged tissue while preserving healthy structures.

Addresses the Root Problem

Instead of simply managing scar tissue, Tenex removes abnormal tissue that may interfere with proper healing.

Short Procedure Time

The active treatment portion is typically very brief, making the process efficient for both horse and veterinary team.

Potential for Improved Healing

By creating an environment that encourages healthier collagen formation, Tenex may improve long term tissue quality and function.

Expanding Uses in Equine Medicine

Veterinarians continue to discover new applications for Tenex technology. Beyond traditional tendon and ligament injuries, the equipment has been used in select cases involving chronic calcification and complex soft tissue conditions.

Specialized probes have even been adapted for use in certain advanced cases involving infected or diseased tissue where precise removal of abnormal material is necessary.

As more equine hospitals adopt this technology, its role within sports medicine and surgical care continues to expand.

Is Tenex Right for Your Horse?

Not every tendon or ligament injury requires Tenex treatment. Some cases respond well to conservative management, regenerative therapies, or other treatment options. However, horses with persistent lesions, chronic scar tissue formation, or injuries that have plateaued during healing may be good candidates.

A thorough lameness examination, diagnostic imaging, and consultation with an experienced equine veterinarian are essential for determining the most appropriate treatment plan.

Final Thoughts

Chronic tendon and ligament injuries have long challenged horse owners and veterinarians alike. Tenex surgery in equine patients represents an exciting advancement by directly targeting the scar tissue that often limits successful recovery.

Every tendon and ligament injury is unique. If you would like to learn more about Tenex surgery in equine patients or discuss your horse’s recovery potential, call Countryside Equine Hospital at (770) 787-5711 to schedule a consultation with our team. Feel free to also visit our surgery page on our website to learn more about Tenex: https://countrysideeq.com/surgery/