Ultrasound guided Needling vs Radial Shockwave Therapy in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: A prospective randomized trial

Friso A De Boer; Femke Mocking; Eelco M Nelissen; Paulien M Van Kampen; Pol E Huijsmans

doi:10.1016/j.jor.2017.07.011

Ultrasound guided Needling vs Radial Shockwave Therapy in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: A prospective randomized trial

J Orthop. 2017 Aug 1;14(4):466-469. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2017.07.011. eCollection 2017 Dec.

Authors

Friso A De Boer¹, Femke Mocking¹, Eelco M Nelissen², Paulien M Van Kampen¹, Pol E Huijsmans¹

Affiliations

¹ HagaZiekenhuis, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sportlaan 600, 2566 MJ The Hague, The Netherlands.
² Spijkenisse Medical Centre, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ruwaard van Puttenweg 500, Spijkenisse, 3201 GZ, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Purpose: Ultrasound Needling(UN) and Radial Shockwave(RSWT) aim to dissolve deposits in Shoulder Calcific tendinitis.

Methods: RCT in 25 patients to compare short term effectiveness. Outcome measures were pain and functional outcome at 6 weeks and 1 year and decrease of deposits after 6 weeks.

Results: UN decreased deposit more than RSWT(P = 0.029). After 6 weeks, Constant, NRS and Oxford improved more in UN. After 1 year, there was no significant difference in NRS(p = 0.45) or Oxford(p = 0.32).

Conclusion: Compared to RSWT, UN resulted in lower pain and faster resorption of calcifications after 6 weeks. No significant differences were found after 1 year.

Keywords: Calcific tendinitis; Radial shockwave; Shoulder; Ultrasound needling.