Rapid Relief for Chronic Joint Pain
Q: What exactly is a Tenex Health TX procedure?
A: The Tenex Health TX procedure is named after the Tenex Health Corporation who developed a method for treating tendonitis. It allows you to treat tendon related joint pain without having to use an incision or surgical technique and is performed using a very advanced needle that dissolves the bad tissue near the tendon.
Q: Who can benefit from this procedure?
A: Anyone who is otherwise healthy, active and has noticed a fairly significant amount of pain of the elbow, knee, ankle, foot or shoulder is a good candidate for this procedure. This procedure is the next step after conservative treatments for those who want to remain active.
Q: What exactly does the procedure entail?
A: First, a visit to my office where an ultrasound evaluation is performed. I look for a specific type of injury to the tendon, which could be either scar or dead tissue at the spot where you are most tender. The Tenex procedure may be performed under local anesthesia. During the procedure, most patients feel the sensation of pressure, but there is no pain.
Q: How long does this procedure take?
A: Five to six minutes. Once the procedure is complete, you are then sent to the recovery room for 30 minutes and able to return home. From there, the patient will go through a post-procedure process where they keep the joint inactive for a few days, then slowly progressive activity. They will then return to the office after four weeks (to ensure that the healing process is ongoing), and at six weeks they are able to return to their full level of activity.
Q: Is this procedure covered with insurance?
A: So far, of all the procedures I’ve done, patients have been covered to some degree with insurance. Our office works directly with the insurance company to get that clearance before we perform the procedure.
Charles A Macneill, MD
The Physicians Spine and Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia
Charles A. MacNeill, MD, a founding partner of The Physicians, practices in our Sandy Springs office. He received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Eckerd College in 1968 and has been named a Joseph Wharton Fellow for graduate study at the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. Dr. MacNeill also served in the U.S. Army for four years and was awarded two Bronze Stars during his tour as a Vietnamese linguist and cryptographer.
Post military, he undertook pre-med courses at Georgia Tech and then earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1977. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at Emory and Grady Hospitals in 1980.
Dr. MacNeill is board certified in anesthesiology and subspecialty board certified in pain medicine. He served on the faculty of the Emory School of Medicine as Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. He was president of the Greater Atlanta Pain Society from 1999 to 2007 and served on the Board of Directors of the Southern Pain Society from 2004 through 2006.
Sponsored by: The Physicians Spine and Rehabilitation Specialists of Georgia
5730 Glenridge Drive, Suite 100 | Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328 | Phone: (404) 816-3000 | www.thephysicians.com
