Shock wave therapy for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: a prospective clinical study with two-year follow-up

Abstract

Background: Shock wave therapy is a new modality that has shown efficacy in the treatment of various orthopaedic disorders.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness, at 2- to 3-year follow-up, of shock wave therapy for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

Study design: Prospective clinical study.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients (39 shoulders) with calcific shoulder tendinitis were treated with shock wave therapy (1000 impulses at 14 kV) and observed for 24 to 30 months. The control group, which underwent sham treatment with a dummy electrode, consisted of 6 patients (6 shoulders) with an average follow-up of 6 months. Evaluation included use of the 100-point Constant score system and shoulder radiographs.

Results: The overall results in the study group were 60.6% excellent (20 of 33 shoulders), 30.3% good (10), 3.0% fair (1), and 6.1% poor (2), and those of the control group were 16.7% fair (1 of 6 shoulders) and 83.3% poor (5). The symptom recurrence rate in the study group was 6.5%. Dissolution of calcium deposits was complete in 57.6% of the study group, partial in 15.1%, and unchanged in 27.3%. Fragmentation was seen in 16.7% of the control group patients; in 83.3% deposits were unchanged. No recurrence of calcium deposits was observed during the 2 years that the study group was followed.

Conclusions: Shock wave therapy is a safe and effective noninvasive treatment for patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.