IntroductionMartinel et al described an intraoperative ultrasound technique to easier identify calcification under arthroscopy. Our hypothesis was that intra-operative ultrasound monitoring allowed better evacuation of calcific tendinitis (CT). Our aim was to determine whether ultrasound monitoring improved the short-term clinical and radiological outcomes of CT. MethodsA prospective, single-center, single-operator, consecutive study conducted between February 2020 and June 2023. The inclusion criterion was surgical treatment for evacuation of symptomatic macro-centimetric calcification (CA) type A or B. The first 20 patients were operated on using the standard surgical technique and the next 20 under ultrasound control.The mean age at surgery was 49.8 years (minimum: 28 years; maximum: 64 years). Patients were reviewed at 6 weeks and 3 months. The evacuation of the CA was checked at 6 weeks by X-ray. ResultsIn the standard technique group, the mean preoperative Constant score was 41.4/100 (± 15.07). Postoperatively, the Constant score was 58.88/100 (± 15.28) at 6 weeks and 69.16/100 (± 13.86) at 3 months. The mean preoperative Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) was 39.0% (± 18.61). Postoperatively, the SSV was 64.0% (± 17.21) at 6 weeks and 79.47% (± 16.06) at 3 months.In the ultrasound control group, the preoperative Constant score was 44.48/100 (± 14.28) and 58.18/100 (± 15.64) at 6 weeks and 66.87/100 (± 18.45) at 3 months postoperatively. The mean preoperative SSV was 40.0% (± 16.54) and 61.75% (± 18.59) at 6 weeks and 76.05% (± 19.62) at 3 months postoperatively.There was no significant postoperative difference in Constant score (p=0.732) or SSV (p=0.566) between the two groups.There was a significant difference (p=0.004) between the two groups in terms of complete evacuation of the CA with the standard technique in 65% of cases (13 patients out of 20) and with intraoperative ultrasound monitoring in 95% of cases (19 patients out of 20). ConclusionThere was no significant postoperative difference in Constant score and SSV between the two groups in the short term.