Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic Overview

A Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic physician consults a scan display with a patient.

The Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic, within Mayo Clinic nationally ranked Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), leverages recent medical advances in biotherapeutic therapies and procedures to jump-start the body's own healing process for overused tendons and achy joints.

This specialty clinic focuses on restoring function for people with aches and pains from musculoskeletal injuries and degeneration, such as tendinopathy, arthrosis or bursitis.

Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic providers at the Mayo Clinic campuses in Rochester, Minnesota, and Jacksonville, Florida, are deeply experienced with innovative technologies and advanced solutions to treat injuries from a range of issues, including:

  • Joint degeneration and arthritis.
  • Tendinopathy and tendon tears.
  • Ligament injuries.
  • Meniscus and cartilage injuries.
A Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic patient has a scan performed.

Nonsurgical options to restore function

Musculoskeletal degeneration and complications from injuries have become more prevalent as people live longer and increasingly participate in athletic and recreational activities. Providing people with nonsurgical options for their ailments is an essential part of PM&R's important mission in restoring function.

Our procedures take place in our outpatient practice. No hospitalization or sedation is required for any of the approaches below.

Fascia and surgical tenotomy

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided tenotomy. This outpatient procedure uses ultrasound to guide a device directly into damaged tendon tissue, which then is precisely removed.

  • Tissue removal can be done with a high-pressure saline jet stream (TenJet). The jet stream breaks up scar tissue and unhealthy tissue in the tendon, which is then sucked back out, using TenJet ® technology from HydroCision. This innovative, precision approach preserves healthy tissue.
  • An alternative device for this procedure has an ultrasonic needle tip (Tenex) that targets damaged tendon tissue.
  • This therapy may be used to treat conditions such as damaged bicep and elbow tendons or foot conditions such as Achilles tendon disorders and plantar fasciitis. Recovery time is typically short and long-term prognosis is excellent when the procedure is successful.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This procedure collects your own blood and passes it through a device that spins it down to concentrate platelets, which are rich in growth factors. Your enhanced plasma is then injected directly back into the joint or tendon, which can promote your body's natural healing process.

A centrifuge in motion processing platelet-rich plasma

Ultrasound-guided calcific tendonitis lavage. When small calcium deposits form within tendons, Mayo providers often use cleansing, also called lavage, to break up the calcium and flush it out. This process promotes healthy structure and reduces pain.

This therapy may be used to treat tendinitis of areas such as the shoulder and rotator cuff. recovery time is typically short and long-term prognosis is excellent when the procedure is successful.

PM&R providers perform lavage using advanced techniques, such as the percutaneous ultrasound-guided tenotomy device with a high-pressure saline jet. This approach ensures that damage to the tendon where the calcium formed also is treated.

A technician securely transfers whole blood into a centrifuge for plasma separation.

Along with the procedures above, Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic physicians are trained in other approaches to help you restore function and speed your progress:

Why come to Mayo Clinic

A technician's gloved hand holds a whole blood sample in a blood collection tube.

We reflect your unique needs

Each Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic consultation includes a detailed clinical discussion, questionnaire and evaluation. With a dedicated nursing team working closely alongside our highly trained PM&R physicians, we make sure we pick the right procedure for you.

Care from advanced, certified leaders

At both the Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and in Jacksonville, Florida, you can feel confident that you will be taken care of by a complete team of professionals who are expert in these advanced procedures.

Please contact our team for a consultation with our Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic physician specialists to determine the best procedure and options for your needs.

Contact

Florida

  • Mayo Clinic Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic
  • 4500 San Pablo Road
    Jacksonville, FL 32224
  • Phone: 904-953-0891

Minnesota

  • Mayo Clinic Biotherapeutics and Advanced Procedures Clinic
  • 200 First St. SW
    Rochester, MN 55905
  • Phone: 507-284-2511
March 13, 2024