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

Abstract

To study the efficacy of subacromial shoulder irrigation in the treatment of calcific rotator cuff tendinosis. Consecutive case series. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinic. Twenty-eight tennis players (16 women, 12 men; mean age, 44.3y) with calcific rotator cuff tendinosis, who failed conservative measures. 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. LInsalata Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (LSRQ) score, visual numeric pain score, and patient satisfaction. At 1-year follow-up, 85.7% reported a successful outcome with significant improvements in the LSQR and numeric pain scores. Our minimally invasive approach was safe, well tolerated, and effective, which should make it useful in providing relief for patients with rotator cuff tendinosis.