Article

The aim of the study was to follow both the structure- and
function-related long-term course of shoulders that had been treated with
therapeutic ultrasound for symptomatic calcific tendinitis. DESIGN: This is a
long-term follow-up of 45 shoulders (37 patients) that had been treated for
symptomatic calcific tendinitis with either a series of ultrasound or sham
ultrasound 10 yrs ago. The main outcome variables were presence of calcium
deposits and subacromial impingement on standardized x-ray imaging, shoulder
symptoms (Binder score), and function (Constant score). RESULTS: At 10 yrs, a
similar proportion of calcium deposits had resolved in 78% of the originally
ultrasound treated compared with 83% of sham-treated shoulders, whereas at 9 mos,
significantly more calcium deposits had been resolved in the ultrasound group (P
= 0.045). Relative to baseline, shoulder symptoms and function had significantly
improved at both the 10-yr and 9-mo follow-up examinations with no significant
differences between groups. Regular sports performance at baseline predicted a
favorable long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic calcific tendinitis of the
shoulder has a good likelihood to completely resolve in the long term. Treating
the calcium deposit effectively, however, may not be causal to the recovery from
symptoms and function in calcific tendinitis.

Langue : ANGLAIS