Treatment of Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder with Barbotage

Purpose : To analyze the outcome after barbotage and subacromial corticosteroid injection in acute pain attack with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with acute calcific tendinitis were analyzed with average follow-up of twenty-two months.The shape and size of calcific deposits were classified.The outcome was assessed by UCLA shoulder score and pain in visual analogue scale(VAS).Results : Sixteen patients(73%) had permanent relief of pain.The results assessed by UCLA score were excellent in fourteen patients and good in two patients.Average VAS for pain was 0.6±0.73(range:0-2).No complication was encountered, but six patients underwent surgical treatment due to lack of improvement or recurrence.Conclusion : Barbotage as a primary treatment in acute calcific tendinits of the shoulder is simple and effective, and therefore should be tried before surgical intervention.