Abstract
Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is a common cause of shoulder pain and is usually treated conservatively initially. We evaluated the ultrasound-guided needling procedure for calcium deposits in the rotator cuff.
Between 2002 and 2003 eight men and 18 women (mean age 49 years) with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder were treated this way. The mean duration of symptoms was 29 months. Before the procedure, the skin and subacromial bursa were infiltrated with local anaesthetic. The calcium deposit was perforated and aspirated when possible. With saline, a lavage was done to wash out the calcium.
Eleven patients (42.3%) had marked improvement in pain and needed no further treatment. Four patients required a reneedling procedure, and four patients needed repeated subacromial injections during the absorption phase of the calcium. In six patients arthroscopic calcium removal was needed. The mean visual analogue pain score during the procedure was 2.63. There were no complications.
The ultrasound-guided needling procedure is an effective and well-tolerated method of treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and in 77% of our cases there was no need for surgical removal. Where there is incomplete dissolution, the procedure can be repeated.
Secretary: Dr H.J.S. Colyn, Editor: Professor M.B.E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to SAOA, Box 47363, Parklands, Johannesburg, 2121, South Africa.
