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Chronic Achilles pain that won't go away with rest, stretching, physical therapy, or injections? The Tendonova Ocelot procedure removes damaged tendon tissue through a tiny incision — in our office, under local anesthesia, without traditional open surgery.
A microinvasive tenotomy that targets the root cause of chronic Achilles pain — the damaged, degenerated tissue inside the tendon — while leaving healthy tendon intact.
Long-standing Achilles tendonitis is often really tendinosis — scarred, degenerated tissue that never fully heals. Tendonova removes that diseased tissue so healthy tendon can regenerate in its place.
The procedure is performed through a small puncture-sized opening rather than the long incision used in traditional open Achilles debridement surgery.
No hospital, no operating room, and no general anesthesia. Treatment is performed in-office under local anesthesia, and you walk out the same day.
Real-time ultrasound imaging lets us see the damaged area of the tendon and direct the instrument precisely to it, sparing the healthy tissue around it.
The Ocelot system by TendoNova received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2022. It was developed with Georgia Tech and Emory University for treating chronic tendon pain.
For patients who have exhausted conservative care, Tendonova offers a less invasive option before considering traditional open Achilles surgery.
Clearing out damaged tissue to restart your body's healing response
Using diagnostic ultrasound, we pinpoint the thickened, degenerated area of your Achilles tendon that is causing your pain.
The handheld Ocelot device uses a tiny oscillating cutter to mechanically fragment and remove the diseased tissue through a small opening in the skin.
Removing the damaged tissue stimulates blood flow and your body's natural repair response, allowing healthy tendon to grow in its place.
Tendonova is designed for chronic tendon problems that haven't responded to conservative treatment
Achilles pain lasting three months or longer despite treatment.
Thickened, degenerated tendon tissue seen on ultrasound or MRI.
Pain where the Achilles tendon attaches to the back of the heel.
Pain and swelling in the middle of the tendon, above the heel.
No lasting relief from rest, PT, stretching, orthotics, or shockwave.
Chronic plantar fasciitis and peroneal or posterior tibial tendinopathy.
From consultation to recovery, a straightforward in-office process
We examine your Achilles and use diagnostic ultrasound to confirm tendinosis and determine whether you're a good candidate.
The area is numbed with local anesthesia. You stay awake and comfortable throughout — no general anesthesia or IV sedation.
Under ultrasound guidance, the Ocelot device removes the damaged tissue through a small opening. The site is closed with a simple bandage.
Most patients walk out the same day, often in a protective boot for a short period, followed by a gradual return to activity over several weeks.
Get to the root of chronic Achilles pain without the downsides of open surgery
A tiny opening instead of a long surgical incision — less scarring and less trauma to surrounding tissue.
Avoid the risks and grogginess of general anesthesia.
Performed in our Bethesda or McLean office and you go home the same day.
A shorter, easier recovery than traditional open Achilles debridement.
Ultrasound guidance targets only the diseased tissue and preserves healthy tendon.
Can be combined with biologic injections such as PRP to further support tendon healing.
The Tendonova procedure is available at both of our offices
📍 Address: 6316 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817
📞 Phone: (301) 363-2676
📠 Fax: (301) 825-9980
🕒 Hours:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Serving Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Gaithersburg, and surrounding Montgomery County areas with minimally invasive Achilles tendonitis treatment.
📍 Address: 6849 Old Dominion Dr, Ste 220, McLean, VA 22101
📞 Phone: (703) 902-0417
📠 Fax: (301) 825-9980
🕒 Hours:
Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Conveniently located in McLean serving Northern Virginia, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax County communities.
Everything you need to know about Tendonova for Achilles tendonitis
Tendonitis refers to early, inflammatory tendon pain. When pain lasts for months, the tendon often develops tendinosis — degenerated, disorganized tissue that doesn't heal on its own. Tendonova is designed to treat this chronic, degenerative stage.
The area is fully numbed with local anesthesia, so most patients feel only pressure during the procedure. Some soreness afterward is normal and is usually managed with ice, elevation, and over-the-counter pain relief.
The procedure itself is typically completed in under 30 minutes, and you go home the same day.
Most patients walk out of the office the same day, often in a protective boot for a short period. Light activity resumes in the first couple of weeks, followed by a gradual return to exercise over roughly six weeks, guided by your doctor.
Yes. The Ocelot system by TendoNova received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2022 for the fragmentation and debridement of soft tissue.
Traditional surgery requires a larger incision, an operating room, and often general anesthesia, with a longer recovery. Tendonova removes damaged tissue through a small opening in the office under local anesthesia, with less disruption to surrounding tissue.
Good candidates typically have Achilles pain lasting three months or longer that hasn't improved with conservative care such as rest, physical therapy, orthotics, or shockwave therapy. An in-office exam and ultrasound evaluation will determine whether it's right for you.
If your Achilles pain hasn't responded to conservative care, schedule a consultation to find out whether the Tendonova procedure is right for you.
Bethesda, MD
6316 Democracy Blvd
Bethesda, Maryland 20817
Phone: (301) 363-2676
Fax: (301) 825-9980
McLean, VA
6849 Old Dominion Drive Ste 220
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: (703) 902-0417
Fax: (301) 825-9980
Monday - Friday:
9:00am - 5:00pm
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