By Dr. Ajaz Siddiqui, MD, DABA, DAPBM
Medical Director, Performance Ortho Hillsborough

Shoulder and elbow pain is an unfortunate part of daily life for many active adults. Chronic pain flares up every time they serve a tennis ball, swing a golf club, play pickleball, lift something at work, or simply reach into a cabinet. Maybe physical therapy, activity modification, or an injection provided some relief, but the pain crept back and continued to disrupt daily life and activity goals. Maybe it developed gradually, with no single injury to point to. And maybe you’re looking for other options before considering surgery.

TenJet® is one of those options. It’s an innovative, minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery designed specifically for chronic tendon problems, and for the right patient, it can heal underlying damaged tissue without ever stepping into an operating room.

What is TenJet®?

TenJet® is a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided outpatient procedure that uses a targeted, high-pressure stream of sterile saline to remove damaged tendon tissue while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. TenJet® is designed to treat chronic tendon problems that haven’t responded to more conservative care without major surgery or medications.

At the shoulder and elbow, TenJet® has been used to treat chronic tendon damage and tendinopathy, including but not limited to:

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Calcific tendonitis
• Biceps tendinopathy

How Can Tenjet® Help with Chronic Shoulder & Elbow Pain?

Using real-time ultrasound guided imaging, TenJet® delivers targeted treatment directly to the damaged portion of the tendon while leaving healthy fibers completely intact. By clearing away the tissue that’s driving your pain, the procedure addresses the root-source problem and supports your body’s natural healing response, rather than just masking symptoms.

For patients, this can mean:

• Reduced pain and stiffness
• Improved mobility and function — reaching, gripping, lifting, etc.
• A path back to the activities that matter to you
• A minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery

External medical research affirms the success of the procedure. A published case series specifically evaluating TenJet® for tennis elbow found that patients experienced improved physical function and reduced pain that was sustained a full year after treatment.

Dr. Siddiqui elaborates,

“What I like about TenJet® is that we’re removing the specific tissue causing the problem, not just calming symptoms for a few weeks. For patients who’ve already tried rest, therapy, and injections without lasting relief, TenJet® is often the missing piece.”

What is Tenjet® Procedure and Recovery Like?

TenJet® is designed to accomplish many of the same goals as traditional tendon surgery, with a far less invasive approach. This cuts down on recovery time and gets patients back to enjoying life faster and on their terms.

During your procedure, your physician uses ultrasound imaging to precisely locate the damaged portion of the tendon. The area is then numbed with a local anesthetic, and a small incision is made to access the tendon. Unlike traditional surgery, no stitches are needed afterward.

The TenJet® device is then guided to the targeted tendon tissue using the real-time ultrasound imaging. During the treatment, most patients feel only mild pressure and no significant pain.

TenJet® is performed entirely on an outpatient basis. The full visit typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and you’ll go home the same day.

Recovery and Return to Activity

Recovery from TenJet® tends to be considerably shorter than that of traditional tendon surgery. Most patients notice mild soreness in the treated area for a day or two, and many can resume light daily activities within a few days.

Compared to surgery, which often calls for a longer and more structured rehabilitation process, TenJet® recovery is typically more gradual and self-directed. At Performance Ortho, orthopedic surgeons, physicians and therapists work together to develop custom treatment plans tailored to each patient’s individual needs and goals. This leads to accelerated healing and streamlines care routes, without guesswork or referrals to external doctors.

Is TenJet® Right for your Shoulder & Elbow Pain?

TenJet® isn’t the right fit for every patient or every type of shoulder or elbow pain, which is why a thorough evaluation comes first. This typically includes a physical examination, a review of your medical history and prior treatments, and diagnostic imaging to confirm exactly which tendon is involved and how significant the damage is.

From there, TenJet® may be recommended on its own or alongside other treatments, as part of a personalized treatment plan built around your specific diagnosis, goals, and activity level. Performance Ortho takes pride in being each patient’s care navigators, helping guide decision making and empowering patients without pressure or confusion.

Still Dealing with Shoulder or Elbow Pain? Performance Ortho Can Help.

Whether you’re hoping to get back to the tennis court, the golf course, or simply lifting and reaching overhead without pain, persistent shoulder or elbow pain doesn’t have to be something you just manage or learn to live with. With same-day appointments in Branchburg, Hillsborough, Somerset and Watchung, help is closer than you think.

Request an appointment online or call 908-754-1960 to speak with a live agent on our patient care team.