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

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.

Automated summary

This study compared the effectiveness of traditional barbotage technique and percutaneous ultrasonic barbotage (PUB) for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy. The results showed similar improvements in pain with both treatment modalities and high patient satisfaction.