title: Tendonitis of the rotator cuff treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy: radiographic monitoring to identify prognostic factors for disintegration.
abstract: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is widely used for calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. The initial rationale for this therapy was to break the calcification, but this effect does not always occur. To date, we do not know how calcifications evolve or why they may be less responsive to the action of the shock waves. One hundred and seventy-four shoulders with calcific tendinitis were prospectively evaluated before and after ESWT, using the radiographic classifications according to Gartner and Heyer, to Bosworth and to Molè. Three months after ESWT therapy, we observed the disappearance of calcification in 36.8% of the shoulders, a reduction in size in 21.8% and no change in 41.4%. The calcifications that disappeared were large according to Bosworth (p=0.004). The probability of disappearance of calcification increased with increasing age (p=0.011), for medium calcifications according to Bosworth (p=0.001), and calcifications of type A according to Molè (p=0.043). The results of our study suggest that the radiographic aspects of calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff could influence the disruptive effects after ESWT. With this knowledge we could define the timing of treatment and therapeutic choice for each patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences of Basis, Neurosciences and Organs of Sense, Course of Motor and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, Bari, Italy.|Department of Medical Sciences of Basis, Neurosciences and Organs of Sense, Orthopedics Section, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Notarnicola
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences of Basis, Neurosciences and Organs of Sense, Orthopedics Section, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences of Basis, Neurosciences and Organs of Sense, Orthopedics Section, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maccagnano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences of Basis, Neurosciences and Organs of Sense, Course of Motor and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, Bari, Italy.|Department of Medical Sciences of Basis, Neurosciences and Organs of Sense, Orthopedics Section, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Study of Bari, General Hospital, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moretti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000628:therapy*