Improvement of calcified tendonitis following human placenta extract injection: A retrospective, single-arm, multicenter observational study.

Jeong, Hoi-Chang; Lee, Jaehoon; Cho, Taehwan; Kwon, Yeongmin; Kim, Jooyoung; Shin, Aram; Jeong, Taebin · J Orthop · 2026

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

Calcific tendinitis, a common shoulder disorder, is characterized by pain and functional limitation. Human placental extract (HPE) exhibits anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, suggesting therapeutic potential in this condition. Forty patients with calcific tendinitis were treated with weekly subacromial-subdeltoid bursa injections of 4 mL HPE for 4 weeks. Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and changes in calcific deposits were evaluated using ultrasound imaging. Mean VAS scores significantly decreased from 6.8 ± 0.7 to 1.8 ± 0.8 (p < 0.05) following treatment. Ultrasonographic evaluation showed complete resolution of calcification in 10 % of patients and partial improvement in the remaining 90 %. No adverse events were reported during the study period. Subacromial HPE injections effectively reduced pain and improved imaging findings in patients with calcific tendinitis and were well tolerated. Further studies remain warranted to confirm these findings in controlled settings.