What does tenotomy mean?
Tenotomy is a technical surgical term for the deliberate division of a tendon. The operation may be used to release a shortened or contracted tendon, reduce excessive tension, or create a controlled change in muscle action; in infants, for example, division of the Achilles tendon has historically been used in treating clubfoot. The word is correspondingly formal and occurs in orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and descriptions of operative procedures rather than everyday conversation. Its ending should not be confused with tendonitis, an inflammatory disorder involving a tendon: tenotomy names an operation, not a disease. Although the procedure interrupts the continuity of tendon tissue rather than removing the tendon’s entire anatomical attachment, its purpose is often described as a tendon release. The plural tenotomies is used when referring to more than one such operation. Tenotomy is worth knowing because it names a precise but counterintuitive intervention: cutting tissue is sometimes done to make movement easier and less painful.
nounTenotomy is the surgical division of a tendon, typically performed to release abnormal tension or a contracture.
- The surgical division or incision of a tendon, especially to reduce excessive tension or treat shortening or contracture.
"The surgeon recommended an Achilles tendon tenotomy to improve the child's foot position."
"The surgeon recommended an Achilles tendon tenotomy to improve the child's foot position."
"The procedure involved a tenotomy of the shortened tendon."
The plural is used when referring to more than one tenotomy.
"The surgeon has performed tenotomies on several affected tendons."
Tenotomy cuts a tendon to loosen it—an operation whose name sounds more destructive than its purpose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tenotomy come from?
The medical Latin form tenotomia combines Ancient Greek tenōn, meaning “tendon,” with -tomy, a combining form based on Greek tomos, “a cutting,” and ultimately related to temnein, “to cut.” The English medical term developed through the anglicization of this Latinized form. Tendon, tendinous, and tenon ultimately belong to the same Greek etymological family.
Related word forms
How tenotomy is actually used
This is a specialized medical term used chiefly in surgical, orthopaedic, and rehabilitation contexts. It denotes an operation rather than a diagnosis or inflammatory condition.
Easily confused with tenotomy
Tenotomy is an operation involving the surgical division of a tendon, whereas tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon.