Questioning the therapeutic value of corticosteroid bursal injection after ultrasound-guided irrigation and lavage for the treatment of shoulder calcific tendinosis.

OBJECTIVES

The therapeutic value of corticosteroid bursal injection after ultrasound-guided irrigation and lavage for the treatment of shoulder calcific tendinosis has not been established yet in the long term.

METHODS

41 patients suffering from chronic symptomatic rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy were recruited for this study. Group A (20 patients) received a double needle ultrasound-guided irrigation and lavage of the calcification with xylocaine injection, while group B (21 patients) underwent a double needle ultrasound-guided irrigation and lavage of the calcification with a xylocaine and betamethazone bursal injection.

RESULTS

After twelve months, we documented full -or almost full- decline (VAS: 0-20/100) of the symptoms in 70% of the group A patients and in 61.9% of the group B patients. There was no statistical difference (chi square, p < 0.05) in group success ratio. We also did not find any statistical difference as for the mean Q-DASH difference between the two groups (-test).

CONCLUSIONS

It was proven that the additional use of corticosteroid bursal injection did not provide with any additional short- to mid-term therapeutic benefit those patients with shoulder calcific tendinopathy who were treated with ultrasound-guided aspiration.