Ultrasound-Guided Calcific Tendinitis Lavage: Application, Technique, and Outcome Andrew Schapiro MD, Humberto Rosas MD, Kenneth Lee MD University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics aschapiro@uwhealth.org
Calcific tendinopathy Hydroxyapatite deposition in tendons Mostly in the rotator cuff, but can involve other tendons 2-22% of asymptomatic adults, 7% of painful shoulders Most common in 30-60 year olds with a peak in the 5 th decade 70% female, 10-25% bilateral 4 proposed phases: Pre-calcific Calcific well defined calcifications, can cause subacute low-grade pain Resorptive irregular calcifications, sharp acute pain and decreased ROM Post-calcific Generally self-limited, but can be intractable and can cause substantial morbidity and economic impact from days off work
Calcific tendinitis lavage Benefits: Reported clinical success in 60-95% of patients Less expensive and invasive than surgery Less time consuming, expensive, and painful than lithotripsy More effective than acetic acid iontophoresis or therapeutic ultrasound (US) US-guidance first described by Farin in 1995 Advantages of US over fluoroscopic guidance: Real-time, multiplanar imaging without ionizing radiation Ability to identify alternative pain sources including tendon tear Two techniques: Two needle 1 needle for injection, 1 needle for aspiration One needle (the technique used at our institution) 1 needle for pulsed injection Theoretical complications of infection and tendon injury
Positioning for rotator cuff lavage Position the patient in a semi-upright position on a stretcher Upright positioning is avoided due to published reports of vasovagal phenomenon during the procedure Modified Crass position is preferred over the neutral position for SST imaging if the patient can tolerate it Figure 1: Patient in a semi-upright position with hand on the hip and elbow pulled back (modified Crass position).
Pre-procedure imaging Pre-procedure US in 2 planes is performed in all cases Linear array transducer is utilized, typically 12-5 MHz Benefits of pre-procedure imaging: Confirm persistent, treatable calcific tendinopathy Transducer pressure can confirm symptomatic calcific tendinopathy Identify alternative pain sources including tendon tear Plan needle approach (skin marked at planned entry site) Figure 2: Pre-procedure ultrasound imaging with a 12-5 MHz linear transducer.
a b c Figure 3: Long (a) and short axis (b) views of the supraspinatus tendon (SST) show a densely shadowing calcification within the tendon (solid arrow). A recent prior AP view radiograph (c) of the same shoulder shows a well-defined, ovoid, dense calcification superolateral to the humeral head (open arrow). These imaging findings are characteristic of calcific phase calcification. a b c Figure 4: Long (a) and short axis (b) views of the SST show an irregular, nonshadowing calcification within the SST (solid arrow). A recent prior Grashey view radiograph (c) of the same shoulder shows an irregular, cloud-like area of calcification superolateral to the humeral head (open arrow). These imaging findings are characteristic of resorptive phase calcification.
GT Figure 5 (left): Long axis image of the gluteus medius tendon. Linear, nonshadowing calcification (arrow) is present within the distal tendon at its insertion on the greater trochanter (GT) Figure 6 (right): Long axis image of the common extensor tendon (CET) of the elbow. An oblong, well-defined, densely shadowing calcification (arrow) is present within the proximal aspect of the tendon. Radial head (R). Distal humerus (H). R H
Procedure kit Figure 7: Procedure kit. Sterile gloves Choraprep Sterile drape 25 gauge x 1 inch needle 23 gauge x 1.5 inch needle 18 gauge x 1.5 inch needle 1% lidocaine 0.5% ropivicaine Saline Triamcinolone 3 x 10 ml syringes 5 ml syringe
Procedure preparation Sterilize the skin with a Chloraprep Apply a sterile drape Fill 3 x 10 ml syringes with 5 ml 1% lidocaine and 5 ml saline Fill the 5 ml syringe with 1 ml triamcinolone and 1 ml 0.5% ropivicaine Apply local anesthesia with 1% lidocaine: Subcutaneous tissue with 25 ga needle Deep tissue with 23 ga needle with US-guidance
Procedure Advance an 18 ga needle to the center of the calcification with real time US-guidance Needle should be advanced along a trajectory that allows the syringe to remain gravity dependent Figure 8: Typical transducer orientation (black line) and needle entry site (red dot) for lavage. Figure 9: Short axis image of the SST. The tip of the 18 ga needle is located within the center of a calcific deposit prior to injection.
Procedure Under US monitoring apply gentle pulsed pressure to the syringe to inject solution into the calcific deposit Release of pressure should draw calcium sediment or cloudy fluid into the syringe Typically more successful with resorptive phase calcification Continue pulsed pressure until the calcific deposit is fragmented, even if no calcium is withdrawn into the syringe If injection is impossible fenestrate the deposit with the needle tip to promote bleeding and reabsorption More common with calcific phase calcification Inject a 2 ml solution of 1 ml triamcinolone and 1 ml 0.5% ropivicaine into the subacromial subdeltoid bursa Procedure time is typically 10-15 minutes
Figure 10 (above): Short axis views of the SST during lavage. (a) Needle tip within an irregular, nonshadowing SST calcification (solid arrow) prior to injection. (b) Expansion and fragmentation of the calcification with injection (open arrow). Note the fluid-filled hypoechoic center during injection. Figure 11 (right): Photograph of a syringe utilized during lavage filled with cloudy calcium laden aspirated fluid.
Post-procedure protocol Rest the treated extremity for 48 hours Ice the extremity and take NSAIDs as needed Avoid heavy lifting with the extremity for 2 weeks Complete and return (via mail) a 2 week pain survey
Conclusion Calcific tendinitis lavage is a quick, cost-effective, minimally invasive, clinically successful management option for calcific tendinitis US provides real time multiplanar imaging for preprocedure imaging and procedure monitoring without the ionizing radiation of fluoroscopy Theoretical complications of infection and tendon injury are very rare, and our institution has experienced no complications to date
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