Clin Should Elbow.  2021 Jun;24(2):55-65. 10.5397/cise.2021.00101.

Ultrasound-guided needle decompression and steroid injection for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: risk factors for repeat procedures and outcome analysis

• Kim SC
• Lee SM
• Park GT
• Jang MC
• Yoo JC

• KMID: 2516549
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2021.00101

Abstract

Background
Although ultrasound-guided needle decompression (US-GND) can treat calcific tendinitis of the shoulder effectively, repeat procedures might be required for unresolved symptoms. We evaluated the overall clinical outcomes of US-GND with subacromial steroid injection and the final results and factors predisposing toward repeat procedures.
Methods
Ninety-eight patients who underwent US-GND for calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus/infraspinatus were analyzed between March 2017 and December 2018. The clinical outcomes (pain visual analog scale, functional visual analog scale [FVAS], and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) and final subjective satisfaction were compared between groups A (single US-GND) and B (repeat US-GND). The factors predisposing toward repeated US-GNDs were analyzed.
Results
We found that 59.3% (58/98) of patient ASES scores were ≥80, and 73.5% of patients (72/98) were satisfied with the outcome. Group B (n=14) demonstrated a significantly higher rate of dominant-arm involvement compared to group A (78.6% vs. 48.8%, P=0.046). However, initial calcification size, shape, number, density, subscapularis involvement, lavage, and procedure time did not differ significantly between the groups. Group B showed poorer final FVAS (7 [interquartile range, 6–8] vs. 8 [interquartile range, 7–9], p=0.036) and subjective satisfaction compared to group A (satisfied: 5 [35.7%] vs. 67 [79.8%], p<0.001].
Conclusions
US-GND with subacromial steroid injection is a viable treatment option for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Dominant-arm involvement was the only independent factor for repeated US-GND. Final outcome of repeated US-GND for unimproved patients was promising; however, these outcomes were poor compared to those of the patients who improved after the first procedure.

Keyword

Calcification; Tendinopathy; Shoulder pain; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Decompression