Shockwave therapy under ultrasonographic guidance in rotator cuff calcific tendinitis.
OBJECTIVE
This is the first efficacy evaluation in patients with rotator cuff calcific tendinitis treated with shockwave therapy delivered using a dedicated extracorporeal lithotripter and ultrasonographic guidance.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with rotator cuff calcific tendinitis received shockwave therapy delivered using a lithotripter specifically designed for the musculoskeletal system (DORNIER EPOS ULTRA), under ultrasonography guidance (which is not part of the conventional procedure). The cumulative dose per patient was 1300 mJ/mm2 divided in two or three sessions. Three, six, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment, the patients were evaluated using a visual analog scale for pain, the ASES self-questionnaire, Constant's score, and plain radiographs.


RESULTS
Improvements in the pain and self-questionnaire scores were noted in 36.6% of patients after 12 weeks and 55.1% after 24 weeks. Plain radiographs were changed in 26.6% of patients after 12 weeks (with complete clearance of the calcific deposits in 6.6%) and in 24.1% of patients after 24 weeks (complete clearance in 17.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results seem less favorable than those reported with dedicated lithotripters and computed tomography guidance.
Charrin
J E
JE
Service de rhumatologie, Hĵpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.
Noël
E R
ER
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D011859:Radiography; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional