CALCIFIC BARBOTAGE
What is calcific tendinosis?
The most commonly impacted tendon is the supraspinatus tendon, which is the most commonly injured of the rotator cuff tendons (although other tendons can be similarly injured as well). Calcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus tendon can happen for several reasons, but the most common cause is from repetitive overhead movements.
Specifically, the supraspinatus tendon can bang against the tip of the scapula (the acromion), and the body responds to this repetitive trauma by forming a calcium deposit. From that point forward, the tendon will hurt when the calcium deposit continues to bang against the acromion.
How do you treat this?
At Lake Washington Sports & Spine, we use an innovative ultrasound-guided procedure to decompress the calcium deposit.
First, we numb the skin. Then, we direct a needle into the center of the calcium deposit, and extract the gel-like center of the deposit. This can dramatically reduce the size of the calcium deposit, and patients feel improvement within moments of having completed this in-office procedure.
Please take a look at our video above to learn more about this breakthrough technique.
The most commonly impacted tendon is the supraspinatus tendon, which is the most commonly injured of the rotator cuff tendons (although other tendons can be similarly injured as well). Calcific tendinosis of the supraspinatus tendon can happen for several reasons, but the most common cause is from repetitive overhead movements.
Specifically, the supraspinatus tendon can bang against the tip of the scapula (the acromion), and the body responds to this repetitive trauma by forming a calcium deposit. From that point forward, the tendon will hurt when the calcium deposit continues to bang against the acromion.
How do you treat this?
At Lake Washington Sports & Spine, we use an innovative ultrasound-guided procedure to decompress the calcium deposit.
First, we numb the skin. Then, we direct a needle into the center of the calcium deposit, and extract the gel-like center of the deposit. This can dramatically reduce the size of the calcium deposit, and patients feel improvement within moments of having completed this in-office procedure.
Please take a look at our video above to learn more about this breakthrough technique.