Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Using a Single-Crystal Piezoelectric Focused Shock Wave Source

December 23, 2022 

Daniel Moya , Diego Gómez , Daniel Velóz Serrano , Pedro Bernáldez Domínguez , Ignacio Dallo Lazzarini , Gonzalo Gómez
Department of Orthopaedics, Buenos Aires British Hospital, SportMe Medical Center, Departamento de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Unidad de Terapias Biológicas OrtoBioSevilla e Intervencionismo Ecoguiado, Sportsmed Argentina 

ABSTRACT

Focused shock waves have emerged as a highly effective noninvasive therapeutic option for the treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. There are three types of focused shock wave generators: electrohydraulic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric. According to our literature search, there are no reports of results with the use of singlecrystal piezoelectric generators in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. In a consecutive retrospective series of 23 patients with Gärtner type I and II calcifications of the rotator cuff, we performed three applications of high-energy piezoelectric focused waves (4,000 pulses per session with a frequency of 6 Hz).

At the final follow-up (average of 14 months), 82.6% of the cases showed complete resorption of the calcification in radiographic controls. In 8.7% of the cases, partial disappearance of the calcification was achieved, and in the remaining 8.7% there were no significant changes. Singlecrystal piezoelectric generators have a success rate comparable to those already reported with electrohydraulic and electromagnetic devices

Read the entire study here: Treatment Protocol for Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis

Check the technology used here: Focus Shockwave