The role of subacromial shoulder irrigation in the treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendinosis: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of subacromial shoulder irrigation in the treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendinosis.


METHODS
Consecutive case series.


METHODS
Musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinic.


METHODS
Twenty-eight tennis players (16 women, 12 men; mean age, 44.3y) with calcific rotator cuff tendinosis, who failed conservative measures.


METHODS
Subjects underwent fluoroscopically guided subacromial shoulder irrigation (50-75 mL of normal saline in 10 mL aliquots) followed by a corticosteroid injection (5 mL solution of 1 mL triamcinolone [40 mg/mL] and 4 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine). After the procedure, all patients completed the same exercise regimen.


METHODS
LInsalata Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (LSRQ) score, visual numeric pain score, and patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
At 1-year follow-up, 85.7% reported a successful outcome with significant improvements in the LSQR and numeric pain scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Our minimally invasive approach was safe, well tolerated, and effective, which should make it useful in providing relief for patients with rotator cuff tendinosis.
Vad
Vijay B
VB
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York University Medical Center, 535 E. 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA. vadv@hss.edu
Solomon
Jennifer
J
Adin
David R
DR
D000174:Acromion; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D013715:Tennis / Q000293:injuries; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002045:Bupivacaine