Clinical Outcome after Ultrasound-Guided Needling in the Treat-ment of Chronic Calcifying Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic calcifying rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common painful condition and one of the causes of subacromial pain syndrome. Ultrasoundguided needling has proven to be a successful minimally invasive treatment modality. The study aim is functional and patient reported outcome after needling in a cohort of patients with calcifying tendinopathy with a follow-up of 4 years. Materials and methods:Between September 2010 and March 2011 a total of 65 patients were prospectively enrolled. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline and at 8 weeks, 1 and 4 years after treatment. Pain and function were analyzed by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire and patient satisfaction and effectiveness was reported at final follow-up. Results:The mean change from baseline SPADI score after four years was 47.9 (95%CI 57.7; -38.8, p<0.001) points. Fifteen patients (28%) were treated again with needling or surgery due to unresolved pain. A significant difference in patient reported effectiveness after four years was found between the two groups (p=0.01) in favor of single treatment. Conclusion: US-guided needling provides clinical improvement in patients withcalcifying tendi-nopathy (70%) after four years and a high percentage of patients is satisfied (73%).