Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Lavage and Subacromial Bursa Injection for Calcific Tendinitis: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial.

In 30 seconds

This double-blind, block-randomized trial compared ultrasound-guided lavage plus subacromial bursa injection with injection alone in 31 patients whose calcific tendinitis had not responded to conservative treatment. At 1-month follow-up, both groups improved on shoulder function and disability measures, with no significant between-group differences. Lavage was associated with a significant reduction in resting pain (3.00±2.96, P<.05) and calcific deposit size (5.75±4.64cm, P<.01), as well as reduced acoustic shadowing; these ultrasound changes were not significant with injection alone.

Key findings

• Constant Shoulder Score improved by +16.18±19.74 with injection and +17.06±9.78 with lavage, without a significant between-group difference.
• Resting pain decreased significantly only in the lavage group (3.00±2.96, P<.05); movement and night pain did not differ significantly between groups.
• Lavage reduced calcific deposit size (5.75±4.64cm, P<.01) and acoustic shadowing (P<.05); injection alone produced no significant changes in these measures.

Why it matters

The findings suggest that both approaches may be followed by early functional improvement, while lavage may offer additional short-term benefit for resting pain and ultrasound-visible deposits. These outcomes help distinguish symptomatic improvement from changes in calcification, although the brief follow-up means the study does not establish whether these differences persist or affect longer-term recovery.

What to keep in mind

The trial included 31 patients and followed them for only 1 month, limiting conclusions about durability and longer-term outcomes.