title: Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.
abstract: The results of arthroscopic treatment of chronic resistant calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in twenty-three patients were evaluated. Each patient had greater than 1 year of unsuccessful nonoperative management prior to arthroscopic surgery. The average age was 49 years (range 33-60) and average follow up was 26 months (range 12-47). Subacromial bursectomy was performed in all patients. Based on follow-up radiographs, thirteen patients had partial calcium removal while nine had complete removal of calcium. Results were graded as good in eleven patients (50%) with full motion and complete pain relief, satisfactory in nine (41%) patients with full motion and occasional episodes of pain, and unsatisfactory in two (9%) patients with persistent pain. Arthroscopic calcium removal and subacromial bursectomy are reasonable alternatives in the treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis resistant to conservative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Shoulder Service, New York Orthopaedic Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ark
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Flock
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Flatow
authors.forename: L U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Bigliani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000601:surgery*