Abstract

Introduction: Chronic calcifying rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common painful condition and one of the causes of subacromial pain syndrome. Ultrasound-guided needling has proven to be a successful minimally invasive treatment modality. The study aim is functional and patient reported outcome after needling in a cohort of patients with calcifying tendinopathy with a follow-up of 4 years.
Materials and methods: Between September 2010 and March 2011 a total of 65 patients were prospectively enrolled. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline and at 8 weeks, 1 and 4 years after treatment. Pain and function were analyzed by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire and patient satisfaction and effectiveness was reported at final follow-up.
Results: The mean change from baseline SPADI score after four years was 47.9 (95%CI 57.7; -38.8, p<0.001) points. Fifteen patients (28%) were treated again with needling or surgery due to unresolved pain. A significant difference in patient reported effectiveness after four years was found between the two groups (p=0.01) in favor of single treatment.
Conclusion: US-guided needling provides clinical improvement in patients with calcifying tendi-nopathy (70%) after four years and a high percentage of patients is satisfied (73%).
Level of evidence: IV

Keywords

Shoulder, Rotator cuff, Chronic, Calcific, Tendinopathy, Treatment, Minimally invasive, Ultrasound guided needling, Ultrasound, Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, CFB, Chi2-tests, Confidence Interval, Arthroscopic surgery