Percutaneous Tenotomy
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
Percutaneous tenotomy is a procedure used to cut or loosen a tendon. The procedure can relieve chronic pain from a shortened or tight tendon.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a splint or cast and it gets damaged, starts to feel tighter, or your skin turns blue or pale.
- Your limb feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You have numbness or tingling in your limb more than 24 hours after surgery.
- You cannot move your limb.
- The skin on your arm or hand becomes pale or turns blue.
- You have sudden, severe pain anywhere in your arm or hand.
Call your doctor if:
- You have pain that is not helped with pain medicine.
- You have a fever.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Self-care:
- Apply ice, if directed. For some procedures, ice should not be applied. This is because your healthcare provider may want your body to produce inflammation. The inflammation can help stimulate healing. If your provider tells you to apply ice, use an ice pack or put crushed ice in a bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you apply it to your skin. Ice helps relieve pain and inflammation. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, or as directed.
- Elevate your limb above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your arm on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.
- Follow lifting instructions. Instructions will depend on the affected tendon. If the tendon is in your arm, do not lift with that arm. You may damage your elbow if you lift anything after surgery. Do not carry anything with the hand on your operated arm, or put weight on the arm.
- Ask when you can return to your daily activities. Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay to start driving, return to work, and do other activities.
- Do not play sports until your healthcare provider says it is okay. Start slowly. You will be able to put more stress on your limb over time. You will also need to work up to full participation in your sport. You may need to wait until x-ray or MRI pictures show that your tendon has healed completely. This may take a few months.
- Go to physical therapy, if recommended. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to help strengthen your limb and increase range of motion.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
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