Abstract: A device and associated method for treatment of tissue in a joint of a mammal includes an energy source and an energy-delivery implement coupled to the energy source. The energy-delivery implement has a distal portion configured to be inserted into the joint, the distal portion having at least one energy-emitting portion. A control module causes the energy source to produce energy in a pre-defined treatment sequence, the sequence comprising at least two pulses of energy separated by an interval. The energy-delivery implement is configured to emit the energy at the distal portion, to create a zone of thermal stress within target tissue, without causing substantial coagulation of the target tissue, wherein the size of the thermal stress zone is substantially less than the size of the target tissue being treated. A biologic can be injected or otherwise delivered into the joint before, during, or after delivery of the energy.