Arthroscopy for Treatment of Refractory Calcific Tendonitis of the Shoulder.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results from arthroscopic treatment in patients with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. METHODS Between September 2001 and June 2006, 55 patients with calcific tendonitis of the shoulder that was resistant to conservative treatment were evaluated, with follow-up of 12 to 70 months. The mean age was 42 years, ranging from 30 to 64 years; 44 patients were female (80%). There were 37 right shoulders, and 63.63% of the cases were on the dominant side. Pain was the main symptom, and the mean time between onset of symptoms and arthroscopy was 38 months (range: five to 120 months). The tendon affected was the supraspinatus in 42 cases, the infraspinatus in 11 cases and an association between these in two cases. Acromioplasty was carried out in 12 patients (21.82%) and subacromial bursectomy was performed in all cases. RESULTS According to the UCLA criteria, 46 cases were excellent and six were good, making a total of 52 satisfactory results (94.54%). CONCLUSION Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendonitis of the shoulder appears to be an effective method, with high rates of satisfactory results. Associated acromioplasty is not necessary.