• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.245-248
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• 2016

A 55-year-old female experienced acute left shoulder pain without specific trauma. Radiography showed calcific deposits in the inferior part of the glenoid fossa. Magnetic resonance arthrography showed calcific deposits in the origin of the long head of triceps brachii muscle. Conservative treatment failed to resolve the symptoms; therefore, arthroscopic surgery was performed. The patient experienced immediate and dramatic pain relief, and normal shoulder motion was demonstrated 1 year after surgery. In conclusion, although rare, calcific tendinitis of the triceps brachii muscle, which causes shoulder pain, should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute shoulder pain. Arthroscopic surgery is a treatment option for chronic cases and those resistant to conservative treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the final outcome after arthroscopic calcific removal in the calcific tendinitis of the shoulder joint and to analyze the influencing factors to affect the surgical treatment on the final results. From September, 1993 to March, 2000, arthroscopic removal of the calcific deposit in the shoulder joint was performed in 34 consecutive patients who had had typical symptoms and failed with the conservative treatment and 21 cases of 20 patients could be followed up at least 2 years. Fourteen cases(67%) were located in the supraspinatus, 5 cases(24%) in the infraspinatus and 2 cases(9%) in the subscapularis. Preoperative severity of symptoms was correlated with higher postoperative score. Pain was relieved from 7.6 to 0.9(Visual Analogue Scale:VAS) and UCLA score improved from 13.9 preoperatively to 32.0 postoperatively, but there was no statiscally significant difference in according to the deposit size(P=0.386). Pain and UCLA score improved from 7.9 to 0.4 and from 12.7 to 33.0 respectively when a calcific deposit was located in the supraspinatus, from 7.6 to 1.0 and from 14.8 to 33.4 in the infraspinatus but pain relieved from 6.5 to 4.0 and UCLA score improved from 20.0 to 22.5 in the subscapularis and these outcomes were shown a statiscal significance(P=0.001). Completeness of removal did not affect the final results(P>0,05). Excellent was 23.8% in 5 cases, good 66.7% in 14 cases, fair 4.8% in 1 and poor 4.8% in 1, and patients were satisfied with their final results in 81 %.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.98-101
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the results of arthroscopic removal of calcific deposit depending on the phase-dependent progress of recalcitrant calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Materials and Methods: From January, 2003 to September, 2007, arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder joint, especially supraspinatus was performed in 27 consecutive patients who had had typical symptoms and failed with the conservative treatment and all patients could be followed up at least 6 months. We evaluated the visual analogue scale at preoperative, postoperative 2 weeks and 6 months. The results were compared according to the arthroscopic findings. Results: 11 cases were chalky calcium deposit of arthroscopic finding and 16 cases were toothpaste-like appearance. The VAS was 8.0 of the group with chalky deposit and 8.3 with toothpaste-like deposit preoperatively, which was not significantly different. However, at postoperative 2 weeks, it was 6.7 with chalky deposit and 2.7 with toothpaste-like, which is significantly different. At postoperative 6 months, the symptoms of all patients were resolved. Conclusion: Resorptive phase is well respond to surgical excision at early postoperative evaluation. The phase of calcific tendinitis is one of important factors for rapid resolution of the shoulder pain and functional improvement after arthroscopic treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2021

Background: To evaluate the demographics, clinical and radiographic features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in the Korean population, specifically focusing on the incidence of coexisting rotator cuff tear. Methods: Between October 2014 and January 2015, we performed a prospective multicenter study with 506 patients from 11 training hospitals in Korea. We collected data of demographics and radiographic analysis based on simple radiographs, clinical assessments based on visual analog scale (VAS) and the American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and treatment modalities that are used currently. We also evaluated coexisting rotator cuff tear by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Results: There were 402 female patients (79%) with mean age of 55 years (range, 31-87 years). Mean duration of symptoms was 16 months. Mean size of calcific materials was 11.4 mm (range, 0-35 mm). Mean value of VAS and ASES scores were 6.5 (range, 1-10) and 47 (range, 8-95), respectively. Of 383 patients (76%), 59 (15%) had rotator cuff tear including 15 full-thickness tears on US or MRI. Patients with rotator cuff tears were significantly associated with older age, recurrent symptoms, menstrual disorders in females, and having undergone calcification removal surgery and rotator cuff repair (all p<0.05). Conclusions: This study reported demographic, radiographic, and clinical features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in Korean population, which were not different from those of Western population. Coexisting rotator cuff tear was found with 15% incidence in this large series, suggesting that further radiographic study to evaluate rotator cuff tear might be needed in some calcific tendinitis patients of older age and presenting with recurrent symptoms.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2021

Background: Although ultrasound-guided needle decompression (US-GND) can treat calcific tendinitis of the shoulder effectively, repeat procedures might be required for unresolved symptoms. We evaluated the overall clinical outcomes of US-GND with subacromial steroid injection and the final results and factors predisposing toward repeat procedures. Methods: Ninety-eight patients who underwent US-GND for calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus/infraspinatus were analyzed between March 2017 and December 2018. The clinical outcomes (pain visual analog scale, functional visual analog scale [FVAS], and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) and final subjective satisfaction were compared between groups A (single US-GND) and B (repeat US-GND). The factors predisposing toward repeated US-GNDs were analyzed. Results: We found that 59.3% (58/98) of patient ASES scores were ≥80, and 73.5% of patients (72/98) were satisfied with the outcome. Group B (n=14) demonstrated a significantly higher rate of dominant-arm involvement compared to group A (78.6% vs. 48.8%, p=0.046). However, initial calcification size, shape, number, density, subscapularis involvement, lavage, and procedure time did not differ significantly between the groups. Group B showed poorer final FVAS (7 [interquartile range, 6-8] vs. 8 [interquartile range, 7-9], p=0.036) and subjective satisfaction compared to group A (satisfied: 5 [35.7%] vs. 67 [79.8%], p<0.001]. Conclusions: US-GND with subacromial steroid injection is a viable treatment option for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Dominant-arm involvement was the only independent factor for repeated US-GND. Final outcome of repeated US-GND for unimproved patients was promising; however, these outcomes were poor compared to those of the patients who improved after the first procedure.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to show that oriental medical treatments, chiefly using Sweet bee venom (SBV) are effective on symptom improvements and calcium removal in the patients diagnosed with calcific tendinitis in supraspinatus. Methods : We applied 0.3~0.6cc of SBV on $LI_{15}$ ($Gyeonu$) at a time and 0.1~0.2cc on each surrounding pressure point. In addition, we treated $Hwangryeonhaedok-tang$ pharmacopuncture on both acupoints of $GB_{21}$ ($Gyeonjeong$) with large intestine tonification of $Sa-Am$. Results : The symptoms improved within 3 weeks in case 1, 4 days in case 2, 5 weeks in case 3. The removal of calcium was detected by radiology at all cases. Conclusions : From the above results, it is considered that the oriental medical therapy including SBV is effective on the removal of calcium.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 2015

Painful periarticular calcification most commonly occurs within the rotator cuff of the shoulder and rarely around the elbow, hip, foot, and neck. As acute inflammatory reaction develops, severe pain, exquisite tenderness, local swelling, and limitation of motion with pain occur. In case of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, it can be easily diagnosed according to the symptoms and with x-ray. However, in lesions of the hip, as it is a rare location and usually involves pain in the posterolateral aspect of the thigh, which can simulate radicular pain from a lumbar intervertebral disc, it could be difficult to diagnose. Hence, physicians usually focus on lumbar lesions; therefore, misdiagnosis is common and leads to a delayed management. Here, we report the case of a 30-year-old female patient with calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris that was successfully managed with ultrasound-guided steroid injection. This study offers knowledge about the rectus femoris calcification.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2001

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate results of the arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder resistant to conservative treatment. Materials and Methods : From March, 1996 to June, 1998, fourteen patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy to treat resistant calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff despite conservative treatment for more than 6 months. Calcium deposits were localized to the supraspinatus tendon only in eleven patients, the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon in two patients, and to the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendon in one patient. Each shoulder was evaluated with UCLA shoulder rating scale and Constant-Murley score Results : The Constant-Murley pain score improved from average score 3.2 before surgery to average score 8.3 after surgery, and the UCLA functional average score improved from 4.5 preoperatively to 8.3 postoperatively. Preoperative ROM averaged $110^{\circ}$ of flexion, $45^{\circ}$ of external rotation, $90^{\circ}$ of abduction, and internal rotation with the thumb reaching to the spinous process of the third lumbar vertebra, but postoperative range of motion averages improved as follows: $170^{\circ}$ or flexion, $50^{\circ}$ of external rotation, $140^{\circ}$ abduction, and internal rotation with the spinous process of the twelveth thoracic vertebra. Overall 3 patients were rated excellentm 9 were good, 2 were fair. Conclusion : Shoulder arthroscopy is an effective treatment in patients with refractory calcific tendinitis.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2009

Purpose: We evaluated the level of pain and clinical presentation of calcific tendinitis after treatment with conservative and early arthroscopic operation. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 30 patients with calcific tendinitis with the minimum of 6 months of follow up period, treated from February 2002 to May 2008. We implemented Constant-Murley score to evaluate the pain of calcification and improvement of range of motion at the 2nd week, 12th week and 24th week with the patients who had treatment with steroid injection in 15 cases and operation in the other 15 cases. Results: Evaluating the level of pain using Constant-Murley score, we found that conservative treatment group had the scale of 3.2 before treatment and 13.6, 14.5 and 14.7 at 2nd, 12th, and 24th week, respectively since started treatment. The operation group, on the other hand, had the scale of 3.3 preoperatively and 10.2, 13.0, and 14.3 at 2nd, 12th and 24th week postoperatively. The range of motion in the conservative treatment group showed 14.3 on average before the treatment and 21.7, 31.3 and 35.7 at 2nd, 12th and 24th week after treatment. The operation group had 14.4 on average preoperatively, and 33.1, 35.8 and 36.4 at 2nd, 12th and 24th week postoperatively. The operation group had statistically significant improvement compared to the conservative group at the 2nd and 24th week, but showed no difference between the two groups at the final follow up. Conclusion: Early arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis seems to be an excellent option that can increase the level of satisfaction of the patients and an efficient way of putting the patients back to their normal life promptly.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.107-108
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• 2003