New procedure speeds tendon recovery.

• Position: Reconstructive Surgery - Brief Article

An innovative surgical system that could alter the way orthopedic and plastic reconstructive surgeons repair torn and damaged tendons recently received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. The Teno Fix system represents the first use of a surgical anchor in soft tissue repair, as a small stabilizing coil is inserted into a damaged tendon, gathering collagen fibers as it turns, and harnessing the intrinsic strength of the tendon. Current tendon reconstructive procedures utilize standard suturing techniques, which require a slow, methodical postsurgery recovery period to avoid potential tears and/or recurrent complications.

The new resource is designed to allow patients to begin therapy more quickly after surgery, leading to an earlier return to normal motion and greatly reducing the need for repeat surgeries caused by scarring and adhesions. "Beginning active motion therapy--expansion and contraction of the tendon--as soon as possible is critical to a successful repair," explains Melvin Rosenwasser, department chairman at the Columbia School of Medicine, New York...