Calcific Tendinopathy of the Shoulder: A Retrospective Comparison of Traditional Barbotage Versus Percutaneous Ultrasonic Barbotage

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare a traditional barbotage technique with percutaneous ultrasonic barbotage (PUB) for the treatment of rotator cuff (RC) calcific tendinopathy.

Design: Three-year retrospective review.

Setting: Participants aged 18 to 75 presenting at 2 highly specialized outpatient orthopedic referral centers with symptomatic RC calcific tendinopathy.

Patients: There were 75 patients included (23 patients in the traditional barbotage group; 52 patients in the PUB group) with an average age of 55.3(6.5) and 55.9(9.8), respectively. There was no significant difference in demographics between groups.

Interventions: Traditional barbotage or PUB.

Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measure was pain rated on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) with secondary outcomes investigating patient satisfaction.

Results: The barbotage and PUB group demonstrated a significant improvement in pain (barbotage 2.4, P = 0.01; PUB = 2.6, P < 0.001) with no statistically significant difference between the 2 treatment modalities (95% CI: -1.8 to 2.2; P = 0.83, P = 0.83). Median follow-up for NPRS recordings was 17-weeks in the barbotage group and 8-weeks in the PUB group ( P = 0.004). Both groups demonstrated similar patient-reported satisfaction, without major complications.

Conclusion: The traditional barbotage and PUB procedures improved pain with a high patient satisfaction rate.

Level of evidence: Level III.