Calcific Tendinopathy
What is calcific tendinopathy?
Calcific tendinosis of the shoulder is a condition characterized by the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite within the tendons of the rotator cuff.
Individuals between 30 and 60 years old are most commonly affected.
Common symptoms include shoulder pain with activity or at rest and restricted range of motion.
Ultrasound-guided aspiration and lavage
Ultrasound guidance can be used to accurately and reliably localize calcifications.
Ultrasound-guided aspiration and lavage is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in the office with a local anesthetic.
Mechanical fragmentation and lavage of the calcium deposit is performed using a needle and sterile saline-filled syringe.
Outcomes
Ultrasound-guided aspiration and lavage of calcific shoulder deposits provides an efficacious therapeutic modality for treatment of symptomatic calcific tendinosis and provides an alternative treatment option for patients (note complete resorption of calcium deposit in this patient at 1 month following procedure).
Reference:
Lin JT, Adler RS, Bracilovic A, Cooper G, Sofka C, Lutz G. Clinical outcomes of calcific aspiration and lavage in calcific tendinosis of the shoulder. HSS J. 2007.