The Role of Subacromial Shoulder Irrigation in the Treatment of Calcific Rotator Cuff Tendinosis: A Case Series

Abstract

Vad VB, Solomon J, Adin DR. The role of subacromial shoulder irrigation in the treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendinosis: a case series. Objective To study the efficacy of subacromial shoulder irrigation in the treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendinosis. Design Consecutive case series. Setting Musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinic. Participants Twenty-eight tennis players (16 women, 12 men; mean age, 44.3y) with calcific rotator cuff tendinosis, who failed conservative measures. Intervention Subjects underwent fluoroscopically guided subacromial shoulder irrigation (50–75mL of normal saline in 10mL aliquots) followed by a corticosteroid injection (5mL solution of 1mL triamcinolone [40mg/mL] and 4mL of 0.5% bupivacaine). After the procedure, all patients completed the same exercise regimen. Main Outcome Measures L’Insalata Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (LSRQ) score, visual numeric pain score, and patient satisfaction. Results At 1-year follow-up, 85.7% reported a successful outcome with significant improvements in the LSQR and numeric pain scores. Conclusions Our minimally invasive approach was safe, well tolerated, and effective, which should make it useful in providing relief for patients with rotator cuff tendinosis.