Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder

Objective: To review patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder treated with arthroscopy and to analyze this pathology. Patients and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study of 27 patients, 8 men and 19 women, with a mean age of 46 +/- 11 years. Types (De Palma): I (18.5%) and II (81.5%). We analyzed the relationship of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder with age, sex, laterality, predisposing factors, diagnostic method, previous treatments, intervention, clinical course of calcification, Constant test and sequelae. Results: Patients received previous filtrations in 88.9% of cases and shock waves in 74%. Surgical time was 110 +/- 30 minutes. Size increased in 4%, remained unchanged in 44%, and decreased in 52% of cases. It disappeared in 68%. Rehabilitation time was 4 +/- 1 months. Constant test was 47.4 +/- 13.5 points before and 82.1 +/- 10.7 points at 9-12 months after surgery (p<0.05). After surgery, 74.1% of patients had persistent pain and 7.4% had capsular syndromes. Conclusion: Administration of shock waves prior to surgery causes a greater reduction in calcifications, decreased postoperative capsular syndrome, fewer days absent from work and a lower degree of disability.