Jd. Rompe et al., Significance of the elimination of deposits in patients treated for calcifying tenditis of the shoulder., Z ORTHOP GR, 138(4), 2000, pp. 335-339
Aim: To evaluate the effect of complete elimination of the calcific deposit
on the clinical outcome in patients with a recalcitrant calcifying tendini
tis of the shoulder. Patients and methods: 50 patients with a chronic calci
fying tendinitis of the shoulder (Type Gartner I or II) underwent a single
application of extracorporeal shock waves (3000 impulses, energy flux densi
ty 0.60 mJ/mm(2)). After one year 45 patients were evaluated radiologically
and clinically. Results: Radiologically a complete absorption of the calci
fic deposit was observed in 21 patients (47%). In 9 patients there was no r
adiological change. The radiological success was closely related to the rad
iomorphology of the deposit. 18 out of 27 good or excellent results were ac
companied by a complete disintegration of the deposit. We calculated a sign
ificant dependency between complete disintegration of the deposit and a goo
d/excellent clinical result (p = 0.0002). Patients with a completely disint
egrated deposit had significantly better scores than those with a partial d
isintegration of the calcium (p = 0.02), and than those with no radiomorpho
logical changes (p = 0.0003). Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.6. C
onclusion: Elimination of the deposit is paramount for a good clinical outc
ome and should be the main goal for any treatment.