Arthroscopic treatment of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up findings at two to five years

From 1996 to 1999, 95 shoulders with calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff were treated arthroscopically by the same surgeon and assigned to the same rehabilitation program. The 63 patients matching the inclusion criteria were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 36 months. Preoperative and postoperative clinical functional assessment was performed separately by the same three surgeons using the Constant method. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to verify interobserver variability and to correlate the presence of residual calcifications with follow-up Constant scores and preoperative ultrasound findings. At 24 months, improved Constant scores were inversely related to the number and size of residual calcifications in all patients. Ultrasound examination showed no cuff tears. As outcome seemed to relate strongly only to the presence of residual calcium deposits in the tendon, their complete removal is recommended.