Michigan State Veterinary Hospital pioneers Tenex for horses, blending human and equine sports medicine innovation

Michigan State University’s veterinary hospital has become one of the first in the US to offer Tenex, a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided treatment for chronic tendon and ligament injuries in horses, signalling a breakthrough in equine veterinary care inspired by human medical techniques.

Michigan State University’s veterinary hospital is now using Tenex for horses, placing it among the first US centres to offer the minimally invasive procedure for chronic tendon and ligament injuries. The technique, first developed for human patients at the Mayo Clinic, uses ultrasound guidance and ultrasonic energy to remove damaged tissue while sparing healthier structures, according to MSU.

Dr Virginia Melly, an assistant professor in large animal surgery, said the appeal is access to areas that are hard to reach with conventional surgery and less disruption to surrounding tissue. In many cases, the treatment can be done with the horse standing under sedation, allowing same-day discharge.

MSU said the approach may be useful for persistent injuries involving the suspensory ligament and digital flexor tendons. In one case, the team treated a horse known as Francis, then followed the procedure with platelet-rich plasma to encourage a better healing response. While equine data are still limited, the hospital says early results are encouraging, supported by a stronger body of human clinical evidence.

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