The study evaluated the outcome of 82 patients treated for chronic tendinosis using the Topaz MicroDebrider. Assessment of pain relief was monitored over a period of one to five years for each patient and 95% of patients reported good to excellent results. All patients had symptoms of intractable medial and lateral epicondylitis where conservative treatment had previously failed. Patients reported early pain relief, an early return to activity and rapid return of grip strength.
The Topaz MicroDebrider is a wand-like device about the diameter of a pencil tip. Through a small incision, generally an inch in length, the physician applies the device to the problem tendon for multiple 500 millisecond intervals of treatment.
Jack Giroux, president of ArthroCare Sports Medicine, said: “While this particular study focused on the most common tendon-related complaint, Topaz is designed to treat most tendons throughout the body.”