Prognostic factors in nonoperative therapy for chronic symptomatic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.
OBJECTIVE
To define prognostic factors in chronically symptomatic patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.


METHODS
We evaluated 420 patients (488 shoulders) in the context of a prospective cohort study. Epidemiologic data were assessed. The radiographic and sonographic appearance of the calcific deposits was classified. The mean period of nonoperative therapy was 4.4 years (range 0.5-13.7 years). After referral to our institution, standardized nonoperative therapy was continued for a minimum of 3 months. Failure of nonoperative therapy was defined as the persistence of symptomatic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder after a minimum of 6 months. Prognostic factors (determined at P < 0.05 by chi-square test) were analyzed by logistic regression.


RESULTS
Of the 420 patients, 269 (64%) were women, 151 (36%) were men. The mean age of the patients was 51.3 years (range 28-84 years). Occurrence of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder was unilateral in 84% and bilateral in 16%. Gärtner type I calcific deposits were found in 37%, type II in 32%, and type III in 31%. Failure of nonoperative therapy was observed in 114 patients (27%). Negative prognostic factors were bilateral occurrence of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, localization to the anterior portion of the acromion, medial (subacromial) extension, and high volume of the calcific deposit. Positive prognostic factors were a Gärtner type III deposit and a lack of sonographic sound extinction of the calcific deposit.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate the existence of prognostic factors in the nonoperative treatment of chronic symptomatic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Guidelines for optimal treatment can be implemented according to these factors to avoid a long-term symptomatic disease course.
Center of Orthopedic Sports Medicine Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
P
P
Ogon
N P
NP
Suedkamp
M
M
Jaeger
K
K
Izadpanah
W
W
Koestler
D
D
Maier
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal