Arthroscopic Treatment of Calcific Tendonitis of the Shoulder

Abstract

AbstractThe treatment of calcified rotator cuff tendinitis can be challenging for both the physician and the patient. Initially, the focus should be on conservative treatment which remains successful in most patients, including physical therapy, iontophoresis, anti-inflammatory medications, range of motion modifications, subacromial corticosteroid injections, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Although it is considered to be a self-limiting disease with spontaneous improvement over time, symptoms can be severe and long-lasting. Patients for whom conservative treatment measures have failed may benefit from the removal of deposits by arthroscopy. Contraindications for arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendonitis include clinical or radiographic signs of a resorption phase, calcific deposits in multiple tendons, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral or acromioclavicular joint, adhesive capsulitis, previous shoulder surgery, instability of the shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis, neurologic disorders or dysfunction of the upper limb. Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff has proved to be an effective treatment option in chronic cases that fail to improve with conservative treatment. The vast majority of cases have been reported successfully with arthroscopic techniques.KeywordsCalcific tendonitisArthroscopyRotator cuffSupraspinatusPortal design