Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder

We evaluated 48 patients arthroscopically treated for calcific tendinitis. All patients were treated by removal of the calcific deposit whenever possible and resection of the coracoacromial ligament. Those cases showing evidence of subacromial stenosis by x-ray evaluation or intraoperative findings were treated with an arthroscopic arcromioplasty during the same procedure. For postoperative functional assessment we used the Constant score. After surgery the Constant score significantly improved. All patients who were treated by acromioplasty showed significant flattening of the bony configuration of the acromion. The x-ray review showed that none of the blurred calcific deposits regained sharper borders after operation and also that no transparent deposit was converted into a denser appearance after the procedure. Those patients with postoperative elimination or reduction of the calcific deposits had significantly better outcomes than those who had no radiographic change. Acromioplasty did not improve the results. The aim of arthroscopic treatment in calcific tendinitis is to remove the calcific deposit. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1998;7:30-7.)