title: Rotator cuff preservation in arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate (1) clinical and radiologic results after arthroscopic calcific deposit (CD) removal and (2) the relevance of remnant calcifications (RCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 102 patients undergoing arthroscopic CD removal, preserving integrity of the rotator cuff. Postoperatively, we divided patients into 2 groups according to the extent of CD removal achieved. Group 1 consisted of patients with complete CD removal. Group 2 included patients showing minor RCs. Ninety-three patients (99 shoulders) completed follow-up. The mean patient age was 50.6 years (31 to 68 years), and the mean follow-up period was 37.3 months (24 to 83 months). We obtained anteroposterior (AP) and outlet radiographs before surgery, postoperatively, and at follow-up. We used the absolute and age- and sex-related Constant scores (CSabs, CSrel) as outcome measures. We compared both groups statistically (Mann-Whitney U test; P < .05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete CD removal was achieved in 82 of 99 (82.8%) shoulders (group 1). Postoperatively, minor RCs were found in 17 of 99 (17.2%) shoulders (group 2), an average of 58.6% (± 26.2) of the mean preoperative size. All RCs showed complete (14 of 17) or virtually complete (3 of 17) resolution at follow-up. Overall mean CSabs and CSrel were 88.8 points (± 10.4) and 99.0% (± 3.7), respectively. Mean values of CSabs and CSrel in group 1 (89.5 points ± 9.5 and 99.1% ± 3.7, respectively) and group 2 (86.1 points ± 12.9 and 98.7% ± 4.2, respectively) did not differ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic CD removal, preserving integrity of the rotator cuff yielded good to excellent results in 90% of patients and avoided iatrogenic tendon defects in all patients. Minor RCs did not impair clinical outcome and spontaneously resolved at follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. dirk.maier@uniklinik-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaeger
authors.forename: Kaywan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Izadpanah
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bornebusch
authors.forename: Norbert Paul
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Suedkamp
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ogon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*