Abstract
There is debate regarding the most appropriate treatment of calcific tendinitis. Minimally-invasive techniques with image-guided needling of the deposits have been developed to provide an alternative solution. We present the results of fluoroscopically-guided barbotage in 100 patients. One hundred patients with acute or chronic shoulder pain, visible on plane radiographs or ultrasound scan, were referred from the Orthopaedic Department for barbotage over a six-year period. This study is a retrospective review of the results of barbotage in these patients, using a patient-based questionnaire. Forty three patients ultimately required arthroscopy of their painful shoulder. However, at surgery, the calcific deposits were noted to have dispersed in the majority of these patients. In addition there was often a long symptom-free period between the initial barbotage and recurrence of pain. In many cases the nature of their symptoms had changed and at arthroscopy signs of impingement or rotator cuff tears were common. Barbotage eliminated the need for more invasive surgery in over half of the patients in this study. It should be considered in all patients with calcific tendinitis refractory to non-operative treatment.
The abstracts were prepared by Cormac Kelly. Correspondence should be addressed to The Secretary, British Elbow and Shoulder Society, Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE
