Calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff tendons. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev. 2011;19:237-243. [PMID: 21822107 DOI: 10.1097/jsa.0b013e318225bc5f]

Updates in Deposition Arthritis Other Than Gout

This article focuses on updates in calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) and basic calcium phosphate deposition (BCPD), highlighting recent advances in imaging and the understanding of these conditions. It explores their clinical presentations, crystal formation mechanisms, and diagnostic challenges. CPPD and BCPD are often underrecognized causes of arthritis, and recent imaging diagnostic criteria are presented.

Nonsurgical removal of a massive calcification of the shoulder

Calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder is a prevalent and painful condition marked by calcific deposits in the rotator cuff tendons or subacromial bursa, with an incidence of 2.7% to 20%, predominantly affecting individuals aged 30 to 50. Women are 1.5 times more likely to be affected than men. Deposits are frequently bilateral in 10%-20% of cases and most commonly found in the supraspinatus tendon. The pathogenesis remains unclear, with theories suggesting repetitive strain or ischemic degeneration leading to calcium deposition. The disease progresses through precalcific, calcific, and postcalcific phases, with symptoms ranging from mild pain to severe, disabling pain resistant to medication. Diagnosis primarily involves radiographs or CT scans, with ultrasound aiding in deposit staging. Conservative treatments include medication, physiotherapy, and subacromial corticosteroid injections. Novel nonsurgical treatments like ultrasound-guided needling (UGN) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) have shown promise. When conservative measures fail, surgical options achieve significant improvement. This case report details a 53-year-old woman with a 12 cm calcification treated successfully with UGN, demonstrating the efficacy of this minimally invasive technique for large deposits.

Animal models of tendon calcification: Past, present, and future

Tendon calcification is a common clinical condition that frequently occurs as a complication after tendon injury and surgery, or as an expression of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. This condition can be referred to by various names in clinical practice and literature, including tendon ossification, tendon mineralization, heterotopic ossification, and calcific tendonitis. The exact pathogenesis of tendon calcification remains uncertain, but current mainstream research suggests that calcification is mostly cell mediated. To further elucidate the pathogenesis of tendon calcification and to better simulate the overall process, selecting appropriate experimental animal models is important. Numerous animal models have been utilized in various clinical studies, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. In this review, we have discussed the advancements made in research on animal models of tendon calcification, with a focus on the selection of experimental animals, the sites of injury in these models, and the methods employed for modeling.

Imaging of calcific tendinopathy: natural history, migration patterns, pitfalls, and management: a review

Calcific tendinopathy is characterized by the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in various tendons of the body. Terms like calcium tendinitis, tendinosis, and tendinopathy are used interchangeably. Calcific tendinopathy is a common and well-documented ailment in the literature. Although common, the natural history, aetiology, and progression of calcific tendinitis are poorly understood. The treatment options include conservative and interventional measures. However, these measures cannot be applied as a blanket and are often tailored depending on the stage/phase of the disease. Out of the recognized stages of the disease, the resorptive stage causes the utmost symptoms when the calcium is rather soft and unstable. During this stage, the calcium may migrate beyond expected resorption and get deposited in the adjacent tissues contiguous with the calcium focus. The common destinations include bursal migration, intraosseous migration, muscular migration, and other less common migration sites. Such atypical presentations can lead to dilemmas in the diagnosis, prolongation of the diagnostic pathway, unwarranted apprehension, and treatment delay. Radiologists' role in this situation is to correctly recognize the imaging findings of atypical presentations of calcific tendinopathy and prevent unnecessary diagnostic and interventional studies. In this review article, we describe the pathogenic pathway and natural history of calcific tendinopathy from a radiologist's perspective and discuss different migratory patterns of calcium in calcific tendinopathy not only around the shoulder but also in other areas of the body on different imaging modalities. We also show a few examples of mimics and pitfalls on imaging. Finally, we discuss the appropriate management option of this condition.

HMGB1 Modulates High Glucose-Induced Erroneous Differentiation of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells through RAGE/β-Catenin Pathway

The association of tendinopathy with diabetes has been well recognized. Tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) play critical roles in tendon repair, regeneration, and homeostasis maintenance. Diabetic TSPCs exhibit enhanced erroneous differentiation and are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic tendinopathy, whereas the underlying mechanism of the erroneous differentiation of TSPCs remains unclear. Here, we showed that high glucose treatment promoted the erroneous differentiation of TSPCs with increased osteogenic differentiation capacity and decreased tenogenic differentiation ability, and stimulated the expression and further secretion of HMGB1 in TSPCs and. Functionally, exogenous HMGB1 significantly enhanced the erroneous differentiation of TSPCs, while HMGB1 knockdown mitigated high glucose-promoted erroneous differentiation of TSPCs. Mechanistically, the RAGE/β-catenin signaling was activated in TSPCs under high glucose, and HMGB1 knockdown inhibited the activity of RAGE/β-catenin signaling. Inhibition of RAGE/β-catenin signaling could ameliorate high glucose-induced erroneous differentiation of TSPCs. These results indicated that HMGB1 regulated high glucose-induced erroneous differentiation of TSPCs through the RAGE/β-catenin signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings suggest a novel essential mechanism of the erroneous differentiation of TSPCs, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic tendinopathy and provide a promising therapeutic target and approach for diabetic tendinopathy.

Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of chronic calcific shoulder tendinitis: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Calcific shoulder tendinitis (CST) is characterized by hydroxyapatite crystals deposition in the rotator cuff tendons. Therapeutic exercises have been the mainstay of CST treatment, and evidence for therapeutic ultrasound (T-US) utilization and efficacy is lacking.

AIM

This study aimed to determine whether 4500 J T-US combined with therapeutic exercises is superior to therapeutic exercises alone regarding calcification size reduction and symptom improvement in chronic symptomatic CST.

DESIGN

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

SETTING

This study was conducted at a University Department for Rheumatic Diseases and Rehabilitation of a University Hospital.

POPULATION

Patients with chronic CST were analyzed.

METHODS

After eligibility allocation, 46 patients with sonographically confirmed CST were divided into two groups (56 shoulders, 26 per group). Both groups performed the same therapeutic exercises for half an hour under physiotherapist supervision. In the treatment group T-US (4500 J, 10 minutes per session at a frequency of 1 MHz and an intensity of 1.5 W/cm²), and in the placebo group, sham T-US was applied for 4 weeks. Patients were assessed for: calcification size, shoulder pain, global health (GH), shoulder mobility (ROM), handgrip strength, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and overall rehabilitation satisfaction.

RESULTS

All assessed variables improved in both groups. A significantly greater reduction in calcification size was recorded in the treatment group compared to placebo: -10.92% (IQR 4.61% to 19.38%) versus -5.04% (2.30% to 7.22%), P=0.008. There was a significantly greater decrease in HAQ-DI, reduction of VAS GH, and an increase in hand grip strength in the treatment group, while no significant differences were observed for other parameters between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that adding the 4500 J T-US to therapeutic exercises in chronic symptomatic CST therapy resulted in greater calcification size reduction immediately following the treatment, as well as hand grip strength, HAQ-DI, and VAS GH improvement.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

4500 J T-US combined with therapeutic exercises is more effective in reducing calcification size than therapeutic exercises alone in the treatment of chronic symptomatic CST.

Kalkschulter – konservative und operative Therapie

Erkrankungen der Rotatorenmanschette beinhalten ein breites Spektrum, unter denen die Kalkschulter oder Tendinosis calcarea (TC) eine häufige Pathologie der Schulter darstellt und eine herausragende Rolle einnimmt. Das Erscheinungsbild kann dabei enorm variieren. Die Kalkschulter kann als Zufallsbefund bei der radiologischen Diagnostik auffallen, jedoch auch bis hin zu einem der stärksten Schulterschmerzen avancieren. Nachfolgend wird ein Überblick für das diagnostische und therapeutische Vorgehen gegeben.

The role of miRNA and lncRNA in heterotopic ossification pathogenesis

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of bone in non-osseous tissues, such as skeletal muscles. The HO could have a genetic or a non-genetic (acquired) background, that is, it could be caused by musculoskeletal trauma, such as burns, fractures, joint arthroplasty (traumatic HO), or cerebral or spinal insult (neurogenetic HO). HO formation is caused by the differentiation of stem or progenitor cells induced by local or systemic imbalances. The main factors described so far in HO induction are TGFβ1, BMPs, activin A, oncostatin M, substance P, neurotrophin-3, and WNT. In addition, dysregulation of noncoding RNAs, such as microRNA or long noncoding RNA, homeostasis may play an important role in the development of HO. For example, decreased expression of miRNA-630, which is responsible for the endothelial-mesenchymal transition, was observed in HO patients. The reduced level of miRNA-421 in patients with humeral fracture was shown to be associated with overexpression of BMP2 and a higher rate of HO occurrence. Down-regulation of miRNA-203 increased the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), a crucial regulator of osteoblast differentiation. Thus, understanding the various functions of noncoding RNAs can reveal potential targets for the prevention or treatment of HO.

Comparison of the effects of ultrasound- guided needle puncture, radial shock wave therapy, and combined treatments on calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is a common disorder resulting in restricted motion and pain.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the effects of ultrasound-guided fine-needle puncture (USNP), radial shock wave therapy (RSWT), and the combination of both treatments (COMB) on calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

METHODS

We enrolled 62 patients who had unilateral shoulder pain for more than 3 months. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: USNP, RSWT, and COMB. All USNP needle punctures were guided with ultrasound (US), and RSWT was delivered at 2 Hz (2000 shock waves; 0.26 mJ/mm2) once a week for 3 weeks. The COMB group received three weekly rounds of RSWT after a single US-guided needle puncture. The primary outcome was the pain visual analog scale (VAS), and secondary outcomes were the Constant scores, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and range of motion.

RESULTS

A within-group comparison at 3 months revealed significant improvements in the pain VAS (p< 0.05, during activity) and Constant (p< 0.05) scores, but between-group comparisons revealed no statistically significant differences in the pain VAS (p> 0.05) or Constant (p= 0.089) scores. Only improvement differences in role-emotional (SF-36; p= 0.01) and active external rotation (p= 0.035) were determined over time, which favored the USNP and COMB groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although no significant differences were observed among the groups in the treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, more satisfactory outcomes were noted in the USNP and COMB groups than in the RSWT group. Larger samples, longer follow-up times, and other treatment protocols are suggested for future studies.

Risk Factor Analysis for Predicting the Onset of Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Based on Artificial Intelligence

Background

Symptomatic rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (RCCT) is a common shoulder disorder, and approaches combined with artificial intelligence greatly facilitate the development of clinical practice. Current scarce knowledge of the onset suggests that clinicians may need to explore this disease thoroughly.

Methods

Clinical data were retrospectively collected from subjects diagnosed with RCCT at our institution within the period 2008 to 2020. A standardized questionnaire related to shoulder symptoms was completed in all cases, and standardized radiographs of both shoulders were extracted using a human-computer interactive electronic medical system (EMS) to clarify the clinical diagnosis of symptomatic RCCT. Based on the exclusion of asymptomatic subjects, risk factors in the baseline characteristics significantly associated with the onset of symptomatic RCCT were assessed via stepwise logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 1,967 consecutive subjects referred to our academic institution for shoulder discomfort, 237 were diagnosed with symptomatic RCCT (12.05%). The proportion of women and the prevalence of clinical comorbidities were significantly higher in the RCCT cohort than those in the non-RCCT cohort. Stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed that female gender, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism were independent risk factors for the entire cohort. Stratified by gender, the study found a partial overlap of risk factors contributing to morbidity in men and women. Diagnosis of hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism in male cases and diabetes mellitus in female cases were significantly associated with symptomatic RCCT.

Conclusion

Independent predictors of symptomatic RCCT are female, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism. Men diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism are at high risk for symptomatic RCCT, while more medical attention is required for women with diabetes mellitus. Artificial intelligence offers pioneering innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, and careful assessment through individualized risk stratification can help predict onset and targeted early stage treatment.

Predicting long-term outcomes of ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy with the use of machine learning

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of two machine learning models in predicting the long-term complete pain resolution in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Within a 3-year period, 100 consecutive patients who underwent US-PICT for rotator cuff disease were prospectively enrolled. The location, maximum diameter, and type of each calcification were recorded. The degree of calcium retrieval was graded as complete or incomplete. Shoulder pain was assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS) at baseline, 1-week, 1-month, and 1-year post-treatment. Measurements related to procedural details, patient, and calcification characteristics were used to construct a machine learning model for the prediction of pain at 1-year post-US-PICT. Two distinct models were built, one including VAS data at 1 week and another additionally including pain data at 1-month post-treatment. Variable importance analysis was performed for the 1-week model. Model performance was evaluated by using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and the respective areas under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

The model exhibited an AUC of 69.2% for the prediction of complete pain resolution at 1 year. The addition of VAS scores at 1 month did not significantly alter the performance of the algorithm. Age and baseline VAS scores were the most important variables for classification performance.

CONCLUSION

The presented machine learning model exhibited an AUC of almost 70% in predicting complete pain resolution at 1 year. Pain data at 1 month do not appear to improve the performance of the algorithm.

Physiotherapy after ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT) is a very frequent and debilitating disease often treated with Ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation (UGPI) followed by physiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

A multicenter observational clinical study was designed to assess the effects of physiotherapy after UGPI on the functional recovery of the shoulders of patients suffering from RCCT.

METHOD

One hundred sixty-six patients (mean age 50.7± 7.6 years), 121 women, with painful RCCT were treated with UGPI and assessed at the day of UGPI (T0), and at one (T1), 3 (T2) and 6 (T3) months after treatment by the Constant- Murley Score (CMS), Oxford Shoulder Scale (OSS) and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Patients were divided into 2 groups, Physiotherapy (PT+) and not Physiotherapy (PT-) according to the performance of the rehabilitation program based on personal decision.

RESULTS

A significant improvement at T1 in all outcomes in both groups and between T1 and T3 for NRS during movement and OSS was found, but not for NRS at rest and CMS. There was no difference between groups for all outcome measures. In 27,1% of patients symptoms recurred in an average of 13 ± 8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that post-UGPI not-standardized physiotherapy might not provide additional clinical benefits in short and medium term. Further studies could assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy performed after three months in patients with recurrence of pain.

Efficacy of management of associated dysfunctions on rotator cuff and long head of the biceps: systematic review

Background

The important functional role the rotator cuff (RC) and biceps play in the shoulder, the close anatomical relationship between them and the high incidence of injuries require an appropriate multidisciplinary therapeutic approach after a rigorous assessment. The objective is to identify and analyze surgical interventions, whether or not followed by a postsurgical one, of associated dysfunctions on the RC and long head of the biceps (LHB) and their effectiveness in improving shoulder functionality.

Methods

A systematic review based on PRISMA protocol was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, Scopus, CINAHL, and Dialnet until 22 April 2021. The main inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized clinical trials including subjects diagnosed with RC and LHB lesions who had surgical and/not post-surgical treatments. The methodological quality of trials was evaluated by the PEDro scale. Data were shown in 3 pre-established tables: (1)sample data, diagnostic methods, dysfunctions and injury frequency, interventions, outcome measures and results; (2)significance and effectiveness of interventions; and (3)comparison of the effectiveness of interventions.

Results

Eleven studies were selected. The methodological quality of ten of them was assessed as good and one excellent (PEDro scale). All articles had surgical treatments and ten had postoperative management. All trials used arthroscopy and two open surgery too. Single-row, double-row and transosseous repair were used for RC lesions, while SLAP repair, tenotomy, and tenodesis were applied to LHB injuries. Measured parameters were functionality, pain, Popeye’s sign, strength, range of motion, satisfaction degree, biceps cramping, and quality of life. All approaches in general, surgical plus postsurgical, were always effective to the parameters measured in each study. Seven trials compared tenotomy and tenodesis: four of them obtained statistically significant differences in favor of tenodesis in Popeye’s sign, cramping, satisfaction degree, and/or forearm supination strength; and one, in favor of tenotomy in cramping. All studies measured functionality using functional assessment scales. The most widely used was the Constant Score.

Conclusions

Surgical plus post-surgical interventions in associated dysfunctions on RC and LHB were effective. Tenodesis obtained better results than tenotomy in Popeye’s sign, satisfaction, and forearm supination strength. However, there was no difference regarding biceps cramping.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02621-0.

Interactive associations of sex and hyperlipidemia with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in Taiwanese adults

Calcific tendinitis (CT) of the shoulder is a painful disorder usually identified in individuals aged 40 and 60 years. The estimated global prevalence of CT is 2.7% to 36%. We examined the association of hyperlipidemia and sex with CT of the shoulder using Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).Data were available for 9903 TWB participants who were recruited between 2008 and 2015. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CT of the shoulder.Overall, 1564 women, and 1491 men were identified with hyperlipidemia. Women, compared to men, had higher odds of CT of the shoulder (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.08-2.16). Hyperlipidemia, compared to no hyperlipidemia, was associated with an increased risk of CT (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.02-1.93). The test for interaction was significant for sex and hyperlipidemia (P = .006). After stratification, the odds ratio for CT was 1.95 (95% CI, 1.30-2.92) in women and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.48-1.39) in men, respectively. Compared to men with no hyperlipidemia, the odds ratio was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.53-1.38) for men with hyperlipidemia and 2.00 (95% CI, 1.29-3.10) for women with hyperlipidemia.Importantly, our findings indicated that the risk for CT of the shoulder was higher among Taiwanese women with hyperlipidemia. However, CT risk among their male counterparts with hyperlipidemia was not significant.

Seasonal variation in the onset of acute calcific tendinitis of rotator cuff

Background

Calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff is a disorder that causes acute onset of shoulder pain when spontaneous resorption of the calcification occurs. However, factors that trigger calcium resorption have not been clarified. The present study aimed to investigate the association between the onset of calcium resorption in calcific tendinitis and the season of onset.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 195 patients (female, 116; male, 79; mean age, 62.6 ± 14.2 years; median age, 62 [52, 73] years) diagnosed with the postcalcification stage of calcific tendinitis, which was defined as acute calcific tendinitis in this study, between 2006 and 2018. The onset date of acute calcific tendinitis for each patient was collected from clinical notes. We evaluated the incidence of acute calcific tendinitis in each season and month. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between the incidence of acute calcific tendinitis and the mean monthly temperature or humidity levels for each year.

Results

The most common season of acute calcific tendinitis onset was summer (35.4%), followed by spring (24.6%), autumn (24.1%), and winter (15.9%) (P = 0.002). Monthly analyses showed the highest peak of onset was in July (15.4%) and the lowest peak was in February (3.1%) (P = 0.022). The incidence of acute calcific tendinitis had a weak association with mean monthly temperature (R² = 0.066; P = 0.001) but was not associated with mean monthly humidity levels (R² = 0.018; P = 0.099).

Conclusions

This study provides new information on seasonal variation of acute calcific tendinitis onset. The results of this study indicated that the onset of calcium resorption occurs most frequently in the summer in Japan; however, the reasons for seasonal variation remain unclear, and further studies will be needed.

Level of evidence

Level III.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-020-03773-6.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy: redefining predictors of treatment outcome

OBJECTIVES

To identify prognostic factors affecting the clinical outcome in patients treated with rotator cuff ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT), by evaluating the degree of calcium removal, the size and consistency of calcific deposits, and baseline level of shoulder pain and functionality.

METHODS

From January 2017 to December 2019, 79 patients (23 males, 56 females; mean age, 45.7 years) who underwent US-PICT were prospectively enrolled. The calcifications' location, consistency, and size were evaluated. For US-PICT, local anesthesia, lavage of calcific material, and intrabursal steroid injection were performed. The degree of calcium removal was graded as total/partial. Shoulder pain and functionality were assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS) in all and Constant score (CS) in a subset of patients, respectively, at 4 time-points. Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher's test, and linear and binary logistic regression were utilized for analysis.

RESULTS

Pain improvement correlated with the presence of larger calcifications and lower baseline VAS score, at 1 week (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) and 1 year (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). Improved functionality correlated with total calcification retrieval, higher baseline CS, and fluid/soft calcific consistency at 1 week (p = 0.013, p = 0.003, p = 0.019, respectively). Increased calcification size, cystic appearance, and lower baseline VAS scores independently predicted complete pain resolution at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Large calcifications and low-grade pain at baseline correlated with short- and long-term pain improvement. The degree of calcium removal did not impact pain or functional improvement beyond 1 week. Increased calcification size, cystic appearance, and low-grade baseline pain predicted complete pain recovery at 1 year.

KEY POINTS

• The presence of larger calcifications and lower-grade baseline pain appear to correlate with pain improvement at 1 week and 1 year after ultrasound-guided irrigation of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT). • Total calcification retrieval, less affected baseline shoulder functionality, and presence of fluid/soft consistency of calcific deposits appear to correlate with improved shoulder functionality at 1 week post-treatment. • Baseline pain intensity and calcifications' morphologic characteristics, but not the degree of calcium retrieval, represent predictors of complete pain recovery at 1 year after US-PICT.

Induction of tenogenic differentiation of equine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells by platelet-derived growth factor-BB and growth differentiation factor-6

Managing tendon healing process is complicated mainly due to the limited regeneration capacity of tendon tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potential applications in regenerative medicine and have been considered for tendon repair and regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of equine adipose tissue-derived cells (eASCs) to differentiate into tenocytes in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and growth differentiation factor-6 (GDF-6) in vitro. Frozen characterized eASCS of 3 mares were thawed and the cells were expanded in basic culture medium (DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS). The cells at passage 5 were treated for 14 days in different conditions including: (1) control group in basic culture medium (CM), (2) induction medium as IM (CM containing L-prolin, and ascorbic acid (AA)) supplemented with PDGF-BB (20 ng/ml), (3) IM supplemented with GDF-6 (20 ng/ml), and (4) IM supplemented with PDGF-BB and GDF-6. At the end of culture period (14th day), tenogenic differentiation was evaluated. Sirius Red staining was used to assess collagen production, and H&E was used for assessing cell morphology. mRNA levels of collagen type 1 (colI), scleraxis (SCX), and Mohawk (MKX), as tenogenic markers, were analyzed using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). H&E staining showed a stretching and spindle shape (tenocyte-like) cells in all treated groups compared to unchanged from of cells in control groups. Also, Sirius red staining data showed a significant increase in collagen production in all treated groups compared with the control group. MKX expression was significantly increased in PDGF-BB and mixed groups and COLI expression was significantly increased only in PDGF-BB group. In conclusion, our results showed that PDGF-BB and GDF-6 combination could induce tenogenic differentiation in eASCs. These in vitro findings could be useful for cell therapy in equine regenerative medicine.

Prevalence of rotator cuff diseases in adults older than 40 years in or near Chuncheon city, Korea

Background

To determine the prevalence of rotator cuff diseases in a population older than 40 years in or nearby Chuncheon city, Republic of Korea.

Methods

Sixty shoulders of 30 people older than 40 years who participated in a health lecture were examined for free by an orthopedic surgeon. Visual analog scale of pain and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were assigned, and routine physical examination was performed. Ultrasonography was performed on the shoulder.

Results

On ultrasonographic examination, there were one shoulder with full thickness rotator cuff tear, 20 of 60 (33%) with partial thickness rotator cuff tear, five of 60 (8%) with calcific tendinitis, one of 60 (2%) with tear of the long head of the biceps, and five of 60 (8%) with tendinitis of the long head of the biceps. Participants older than 60 years showed significantly high proportions of lesion of the long head of the biceps and rotator cuff diseases (P=0.019 and P=0.015, respectively). Participants who performed physical labor had high proportions of rotator cuff tear and rotator cuff disease (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Rotator cuff diseases showed a high prevalence in aged persons and resulted in a decrease in shoulder function.

Rotator cuff tendon calcific tendinitis treatment algorithm for primary care musculoskeletal physicians

Purpose

Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is a common pathology encountered by primary care sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons. Understanding the patient demographics responsible for calcific tendinitis outcomes from various treatment modalities may lead to greater understanding of appropriate management.

Methods

This was a retrospective study on patients who were diagnosed with calcific tendinitis by imaging (radiographs, MRIs) at our institution from 2014 to 2016. The data collection included patient demographics, clinical signs and symptoms management. Treatment outcomes were assessed by whether symptoms resolved and the number and type of treatment.

Results

A total of 250 medical records were reviewed out of which 237 were involved in the data analysis. There were 95 male and 141 female patients with a mean age of 54.9 ± 11.5 years. In all, 120 patients complained of right shoulder pain and 117 of left shoulder pain. Smokers had a higher VAS Pain at Rest and Activity of 6.1 ± 3.5 and 8.2 ± 2.4, respectively, with non-smokers scoring a lower VAS Pain Rest score of 4.2 ± 3.1 and 7.9 ± 2.0 (P = 0.18). The VAS Pain Rest score after follow-up from corticosteroid injection, ultrasound-guided injection with needling, and surgery were 3.9 ± 3.0, 3.5 ± 3.0, and 0.7 ± 1.4, respectively.

Conclusion

An algorithm constructed from our results recommends initial management with a subacromial corticosteroid injection with physical therapy followed by ultrasound-guided injection with needling and PT if the initial treatment fails. Surgical management is considered when the patient is recalcitrant to the first two forms of non-operative treatment.

Mkx-Deficient Mice Exhibit Hedgehog Signaling-Dependent Ectopic Ossification in the Achilles Tendons

Heterotopic ossification is the abnormal formation of mineralized bone in skin, muscle, tendon, or other soft tissues. Tendon ossification often occurs from acute tendon injury or chronic tendon degeneration, for which current treatment relies heavily on surgical removal of the ectopic bony tissues. Unfortunately, surgery creates additional trauma, which often causes recurrence of heterotopic ossification. The molecular mechanisms of heterotopic ossification are not well understood. Previous studies demonstrate that Mkx is a transcription factor crucial for postnatal tendon fibril growth. Here we report that Mkx^-/- mutant mice exhibit ectopic ossification in the Achilles tendon within 1 month after birth and the tendon ossification deteriorates with age. Genetic lineage labeling revealed that the tendon ossification in Mkx^-/- mice resulted from aberrant differentiation of tendon progenitor cells. Furthermore, tissue-specific inactivation of Mkx in tendon cells postnatally resulted in a similar ossification phenotype, indicating that Mkx plays a key role in tendon tissue homeostasis. Moreover, we show that Hedgehog signaling is ectopically activated at early stages of tendon ossification and that tissue-specific inactivation of Smoothened, which encodes the obligatory transducer of Hedgehog signaling, in the tendon cell lineage prevented or dramatically reduced tendon ossification in Mkx^-/- mice. Together, these studies establish a new genetic mouse model of tendon ossification and provide new insight into its pathogenic mechanisms. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Calcific deposit needling in combination with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT): A proposed treatment for supraspinatus calcified tendinopathy

Background: Calcified tendinopathy of the rotator cuff is one of the most common conditions concerning the shoulder pathology. It is characterized by a reactive calcification that affects the tendons being part of the rotator cuff. The reported prevalence varies from 2.7% to 22%. Most of the patients can be treated effectively with non-operative measures such as anti-inflammatory drugs, subacromial injection of steroid, physiotherapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and needle aspiration irrigation. Results of a treatment combining some of these methods have not been reported.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to present the radiological as well as the clinical results of our proposed protocol which combines drilling of the calcium deposits with xylocaine under ultrasound guidance, with a specific program of physiotherapy for 1 month without the use of NSAIDs.

Methods: Sixty-six consecutive patients (68 shoulders) were treated for calcified tendinitis of supraspinatus, which was diagnosed clinically and radiologically, with needle drilling using xylocaine under ultrasound guidance. After the drilling the patient followed a physiotherapy protocol with ESWT which included five visits within a month. After the end of the physiotherapy, the patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score were measured before and after the end of the therapy.

Results: All the patients showed clinical improvement of the symptoms at the follow-up. The mean VAS score showed improvement from 8.1 to 3.3 whereas the mean DASH score was 27 and after the end of the therapy 5. Radiologically all but one calcific deposits were disappeared.

Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided drilling of the calcific deposit using xylocaine, in combination with physiotherapy using ESWT provides a reliable alternative treatment for the calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus

Radiological identification and analysis of soft tissue musculoskeletal calcifications

Abstract

Musculoskeletal calcifications are frequent on radiographs and sometimes problematic. The goal of this article is to help radiologists to make the correct diagnosis when faced with an extraosseous musculoskeletal calcification. One should first differentiate a calcification from an ossification or a foreign body and then locate the calcification correctly. Each location has a specific short differential diagnosis, with minimal further investigation necessary. Intra-tendon calcifications are most frequently associated with hydroxyapatite deposition disease (HADD). In most cases, intra-articular calcifications are caused by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease. Soft tissue calcification can be caused by secondary tumoural calcinosis from renal insufficiency, or collagen vascular diseases and by vascular calcifications, either arterial or venous (phlebolith).

Teaching Points

• Calcifications have to be differentiated form ossification and foreign body.

• A musculoskeletal MRI study must always be correlated with a radiograph.

• The clinical manifestations of calcifications may sometimes mimic septic arthritis or sarcoma.

• HADD and CPPD crystal deposition have a distinct appearance on radiograph.

• Calcinosis is more frequently caused by chronic renal failure and scleroderma.

Excision of Labral Amorphous Calcification as a Part of Hip Arthroscopy-Clinical Outcomes in a Matched-Controlled Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate clinical outcomes, demographics, and radiographic findings for patients whose hip arthroscopies involved amorphous calcification (AC) excision and to compare them with a control group with no AC and with the general population regarding diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism.

METHODS

Patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy involving surgical excision of AC deposit in the anterosuperior labralcapsular recess between October 2008 and July 2014 were reviewed. Demographics, radiographic findings, intraoperative findings, and procedures were reviewed. Minimum follow-up was 2 years and included visual analog scale for pain, patient satisfaction, and the following patient-reported outcome scores: modified Harris hip score, hip outcomes score sport-specific subscale, and nonarthritic hip score. These patients were matched (1:2 ratio) to patients who underwent hip arthroscopy with no AC using the following matching criteria: age at surgery ± 5 years, body mass index ± 5, gender, type of labral treatment, and type of capsular treatment.

RESULTS

We reviewed 12 cases in 11 female patients. Mean latest follow-up scores improved from 64.0 to 83.4 (P = .003) for modified Harris hip score, from 57.6 to 80.6 (P < .001) for nonarthritic hip score, from 35.4 to 62.7 (P = .021) for hip outcomes score sport-specific subscale, and from 6.4 to 2.8 (P = .016) for visual analog scale. The survivorship rate was 91.7%, with one hip converting to total hip arthroplasty. Mean patient satisfaction was 8.4 ± 2.3. Six hips of the 12 (50%) had clock face localization of the AC. They were all between 11 and 12 with a mean of 12:30. Postoperative radiographic findings showed no subsequent AC in all 12 hips. No complications or revisions were reported. There were no significant differences between the AC group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of AC as part of hip arthroscopy for labral tear and femoro-acetabular impingement is safe and has favorable and similar outcomes compared with a control group at minimum 2-year follow-up. Female gender may be a risk factor for the development of AC. There is no strong evidence that AC should be debrided.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, case control study.

Examination of concomitant glenohumeral pathologies in patients treated arthroscopically for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and implications for routine diagnostic joint exploration

BACKGROUND

Glenohumeral exploration is routinely performed during arthroscopic removal of rotator cuff calcifications in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder (CTS). However, evidence on the prevalence of intraarticular co-pathologies is lacking and the benefit of glenohumeral exploration remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to assess and quantify intraoperative pathologies during arthroscopic removal of rotator cuff calcifications in order to determine whether standardized diagnostic glenohumeral exploration appears justified in CTS patients.

METHODS

One hundred forty five patients undergoing arthroscopic removal of calcific depots (CD) that failed conservative treatment were included in a retrospective cohort study. Radiographic parameters including number/localization of calcifications and acromial types, intraoperative arthroscopic findings such as configuration of glenohumeral ligaments, articular cartilage injuries, and characteristics of calcifications and sonographic parameters (characteristics/localization of calcification) were recorded.

RESULTS

One hundred forty five patients were analyzed. All CDs were removed by elimination with a blunt hook probe via "squeeze-and-stir-technique" assessed postoperatively via conventional X-rays. Neither subacromial decompression nor refixation of the rotator cuff were performed in any patient. Prevalence of glenohumeral co-pathologies, such as partial tears of the proximal biceps tendon (2.1%), superior labral tears from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions (1.4%), and/or partial rotator cuff tears (0.7%) was low. Most frequently, glenohumeral articular cartilage was either entirely intact (ICRS grade 0 (humeral head/glenoid): 46%/48%) or showed very mild degenerative changes (ICRS grade 1: 30%/26%). Two patients (1.3%) required intraarticular surgical treatment due to a SLAP lesion type III (n = 1) and an intraarticular rupture of CD (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine diagnostic glenohumeral exploration does not appear beneficial in arthroscopic treatment of CTS due to the low prevalence of intraarticular pathologies which most frequently do not require surgical treatment. Exploration of the glenohumeral joint in arthroscopic removal of CD should only be performed in case of founded suspicion of relevant concomitant intraarticular pathologies.

What is the role of systemic conditions and options for manipulation of bone formation and bone resorption in rotator cuff tendon healing and repair?

Rotator cuff pathology is a significant cause of shoulder pain. Operative repair of rotator cuff is an established standard of care for these patient, however, failure of the procedure is common. Systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypocholesteremia, thyroid disease, and smoking significantly affect the outcomes of rotator cuff repair and have significant implications for the management of these patients. Diabetes mellitus has been proposed to damage tendons through non-enzymatic glycosylation of collagen with advanced glycation end product formation and impaired microcirculation. Hypocholesteremia may lead to fatty infiltration and subsequent pro-inflammatory degenerative enzymatic degeneration. Thyroid disease may disrupt tendon homeostasis through the alteration of collagen production and the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Lastly, smoking inhibits tendon healing through the induction of hypovascularity and hypoperfusion. Understanding of the implications these systemic conditions have on the outcomes is important in the management of rotator cuff disease.

Characteristics of Sonography in a Rat Achilles Tendinopathy Model: Possible Non-invasive Predictors of Biomechanics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes of histopathology, biomechanical properties, echo intensity, and ultrasound features in a collagenase-induced tendinopathy model of rat Achilles tendons, and to examine the associations among biomechanical properties, echo intensity, and ultrasound features. Forty-two rats received an ultrasound-guided collagenase injection on their left Achilles tendons, and needle puncture on the right ones as the control. At four, eight, and twelve weeks post-injury, the tendons were examined via measurements of their biomechanical properties, histopathological and ultrasonographic characteristics. The injured tendons showed significantly higher histopathological scores, lower Young’s modulus, and higher ultrasound feature scores than the those of control ones throughout the study period. Up to week 12, all injured tendons showed defective healing. The neovascularization score had a significant negative linear association with the failure stress and Young’s modulus. Maximum normalized echo intensity had a significant positive linear association with maximum strain. Therefore, neovascularization and maximum normalized echo intensity are associated with mechanically altered tendinopathic tendons. Non-invasive ultrasound methodology, including echo intensity and ultrasound feature scores, may provide useful information about biomechanical properties of tendinopathic tendons.

Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy: Randomized Comparison of US-guided Percutaneous Treatments by Using One or Two Needles

Purpose To determine whether the use of one or two needles influences procedure performance and patient outcomes for ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval and written informed patient consent were obtained. From February 2012 to December 2014, 211 patients (77 men and 134 women; mean age, 41.6 years ± 11.6; range, 24-69 years) with painful calcific tendinopathy diagnosed at US were prospectively enrolled and randomized. Operators subjectively graded calcifications as hard, soft, or fluid according to their appearance at US. US-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (local anesthesia, needle lavage, intrabursal steroid injection) was performed in 100 patients by using the single-needle procedure and in 111 patients by using the double-needle procedure. Calcium dissolution was subjectively scored (easy = 1; intermediate = 2; difficult = 3). Procedure duration was recorded. Clinical evaluation was performed by using the Constant score up to 1 year after the procedure. The occurrence of postprocedural bursitis was recorded. Mann-Whitney U, χ², and analysis of variance statistics were used. Results No difference in procedure duration was seen overall (P = .060). Procedure duration was shorter with the double-needle procedure in hard calcifications (P < .001) and with the single-needle procedure in fluid calcifications (P = .024). Ease of calcium dissolution was not different between single- and double-needle procedures, both overall and when considering calcification appearance (P > .089). No clinical differences were found (Constant scores for single-needle group: baseline, 55 ± 7; 1 month, 69 ± 7; 3 month, 90 ± 5; 1 year, 92 ± 4; double-needle group: 57 ± 6; 71 ± 9; 89 ± 7; 92 ± 4, respectively; P = .241). In the single-needle group, nine of 100 cases (9%) of postprocedural bursitis were seen, whereas four of 111 cases (3.6%) were seen in the double-needle group (P = .180). Conclusion The only difference between using the single- or double-needle procedure when performing US-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy is procedure duration in hard and fluid calcifications. Clinical outcomes are similar up to 1 year. ^© RSNA, 2017.

Return to Sports After Arthroscopic Treatment of Rotator Cuff Calcifications in Athletes

BACKGROUND

Arthroscopic treatment of calcific deposits of rotator cuff tears has been described with successful results in the general population. However, despite the high frequency of this condition, there is no information in the literature regarding arthroscopic treatment of rotator cuff calcifications in athletes.

PURPOSE

To analyze the time to return to sport, clinical outcomes, and complications of complete arthroscopic removal of intratendinous calcific deposits and repair of the tendon lesion without acromioplasty in athletes.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

This study retrospectively evaluated 24 consecutive patients with a mean age of 36.2 years. The mean follow-up was 59 months (range, 24-108 months). Patients completed a questionnaire focused on the time to return to sport and treatment course. Pre- and postoperative functional assessment was performed using the Constant score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score. Pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to evaluate the recurrence of calcifications and the indemnity of the supraspinatus tendon repair.

RESULTS

Of the 24 patients, 23 (95.8%) were able to return to sports; 91.3% returned to the same level. The mean time to return to play was 5.3 months (range, 3-9 months): 26% of patients (6/23) returned to sports in less than 4 months, 61% (14/24) returned between 4 and 6 months, and 13% (3/24) returned after the sixth month. The mean Constant score increased from 26.9 preoperatively to 89.7 postoperatively (P < .001), and the UCLA score increased from 17.3 preoperatively to 33.2 postoperatively (P < .001). Significant improvement was obtained for pain (mean VAS, 8.4 [before surgery] vs 0.6 [after]; P < .001). The overall majority (91.6%) of patients were satisfied with their result. MRI examination at last follow-up (79% of patients) showed no tendon tears.

CONCLUSION

In athletes with calcifying tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon with failed nonoperative treatment, complete arthroscopic removal of calcific deposits and tendon repair without acromioplasty results in significant pain relief and improvement in functional outcomes. Most patients return to the same level of proficiency regardless of the type of sport and the level of competition before injury, with 91.6% of patients satisfied with their results.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage of calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament of the knee: a case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Calcification of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee is rare. The literature reports no positive outcomes when conservative treatment has been followed. This paper reports a case of such calcification and its treatment using ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage (UGPL).

METHODS

A 66-year-old patient presented with medial knee pain. X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance (MR) examinations revealed calcific bursitis of the MCL, which was treated by UGPL.

RESULTS

One month after treatment the patient was asymptomatic. X-ray, ultrasound, and MR examinations confirmed the almost complete disappearance of the calcification; only very tiny fragments remained.

CONCLUSIONS

Calcific bursitis of the MCL of the knee is very uncommon, but should be taken into account in differential diagnoses for medial knee pain. UGPL is proposed as a treatment for this condition.

Calcific Tendinopathy of the Gluteus Medius Mimicking Lumbar Radicular Pain Successfully Treated With Barbotage: A Case Report

We report a case of calcific tendinopathy of the gluteus medius initially misdiagnosed as a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc. It was successfully treated with barbotage under ultrasonographic guidance finally. A 56-year-old woman was referred to interventional pain clinic for right hip pain due to an L5-S1 disc herniation. Serial L5 and S1 spinal nerve root blocks and epidural steroid injections were administered. However, pain relief was sustained only for a very short period. Plain radiography of the right hip revealed a solid calcific nodule at adjacent to the insertion site of the gluteus medius tendon. Physical modalities and extracorporeal shock wave therapy failed to improve the pain. Therefore, we attempted ultrasound-guided barbotage of the calcification. Barbotage was performed twice serially and her pain was considerably improved. At 6-month follow-up, the calcification was completely resolved.

Incidental Anterior Cruciate Ligament Calcification: Case Report

The calcification of knee ligaments is a finding noted only in a handful of case reports. The finding of an anterior cruciate ligament calcification has been reported once in the literature. Comparable studies involving the posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and an ossicle within the anterior cruciate ligament are likewise discussed in reports of symptomatic patients. We report a case of incidentally discovered anterior cruciate ligament calcification. We discuss the likely etiology and clinical implications of this finding.

Tendon mineralization is progressive and associated with deterioration of tendon biomechanical properties, and requires BMP-Smad signaling in the mouse Achilles tendon injury model

Ectopic tendon mineralization can develop following tendon rupture or trauma surgery. The pathogenesis of ectopic tendon mineralization and its clinical impact have not been fully elucidated yet. In this study, we utilized a mouse Achilles tendon injury model to determine whether ectopic tendon mineralization alters the biomechanical properties of the tendon and whether BMP signaling is involved in this condition. A complete transverse incision was made at the midpoint of the right Achilles tendon in 8-week-old CD1 mice and the gap was left open. Ectopic cartilaginous mass formation was found in the injured tendon by 4weeks post-surgery and ectopic mineralization was detected at 8 to 10weeks post-surgery. Ectopic mineralization grew over time and volume of the mineralized materials of 25-weeks samples was about 2.5 fold bigger than that of 10-weeks samples, indicating that injury-induced ectopic tendon mineralization is progressive. In vitro mechanical testing showed that max force, max stress and mid-substance modulus in the 25-weeks samples were significantly lower than the 10-weeks samples. We observed substantial increases in expression of bone morphogenetic protein family genes in injured tendons 1week post-surgery. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that phosphorylation of both Smad1 and Smad3 was highly increased in injured tendons as early as 1week post-injury and remained high in ectopic chondrogenic lesions 4-weeks post-injury. Treatment with the BMP receptor kinase inhibitor (LDN193189) significantly inhibited injury-induced tendon mineralization. These findings indicate that injury-induced ectopic tendon mineralization is progressive, involves BMP signaling and associated with deterioration of tendon biomechanical properties.

Calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff

Calcific tendinitis within the rotator cuff tendon is a common shoulder disorder that should be differentiated from dystrophic calcification as the pathogenesis and natural history of both is totally different. Calcific tendinitis usually occurs in the fifth and sixth decades of life among sedentary workers. It is classified into formative and resorptive phases. The chronic formative phase results from transient hypoxia that is commonly associated with repeated microtrauma causing calcium deposition into the matrix vesicles within the chondrocytes forming bone foci that later coalesce. This phase may extend from 1 to 6 years, and is usually asymptomatic. The resorptive phase extends from 3 wk up to 6 mo with vascularization at the periphery of the calcium deposits causing macrophage and mononuclear giant cell infiltration, together with fibroblast formation leading to an aggressive inflammatory reaction with inflammatory cell accumulation, excessive edema and rise of the intra-tendineous pressure. This results in a severely painful shoulder. Radiological investigations confirm the diagnosis and suggest the phase of the condition and are used to follow its progression. Although routine conventional X-ray allows detection of the deposits, magnetic resonance imaging studies allow better evaluation of any coexisting pathology. Various methods of treatment have been suggested. The appropriate method should be individualized for each patient. Conservative treatment includes pain killers and physiotherapy, or "minimally invasive" techniques as needling or puncture and aspiration. It is almost always successful since the natural history of the condition ends with resorption of the deposits and complete relief of pain. Due to the intolerable pain of the acute and severely painful resorptive stage, the patient often demands any sort of operative intervention. In such case arthroscopic removal is the best option as complete removal of the deposits is unnecessary.

Influence of Thyroid Hormones on Tendon Homeostasis

Tendinopathies have a multifactorial etiology driven by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Recent studies have elucidated the importance of thyroid hormones in the alteration of tendons homeostasis and in the failure of tendon healing after injury. The effects of thyroid hormones are mediated by receptors (TR)-α and -β that seem to be ubiquitous. In particular, T3 and T4 play an antiapoptotic role on tenocytes, causing an increase in vital tenocytes isolated from tendons in vitro and a reduction of apoptotic ones; they are also able to influence extra cellular matrix proteins secretion in vitro from tenocytes, enhancing collagen production. From a clinical point of view, disorders of thyroid function have been investigated only for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy and tears. In this complex scenario, further research is needed to clarify the role of thyroid hormones on the onset of tendinopathies.

Role of the ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway in Osteogenesis of Rat Tendon-Derived Stem Cells in Normoxic and Hypoxic Cultures

BACKGROUND

Ectopic ossification and increased vascularization are two common phenomena in the chronic tendinopathic tendon. The increased vascularization usually leads to an elevated local oxygen tension which is one of micro-environments that can influence differentiate status of stem cells.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the osteogenesis capacity of rat tendon-derived stem cells TDSCs (rTDSCs) in normoxic and hypoxic cultures, and to study the role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway in this process.

METHODS

rTDSCs were subjected to osteogenesis inductive culture in hypoxic (3% O2) and normoxic (20% O2) conditions. The inhibitor U0126 was added along with culture medium to determine the role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Cell viability, cell proliferation, alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, gene expression (ALP, osteocalcin, collagen I and RUNX2) and protein expression (p-ERK1/2 and RUNX2) of osteogenic-cultured rTSDCs were analyzed in this study.

RESULTS

Hypoxic and normoxic culture had no effects on cell viability of rTDSCs, whereas the proliferation potential of rTDSCs was significantly increased in hypoxic culture. The osteogenesis capacity of rTDSCs in normoxic culture was significantly promoted compared with hypoxic culture, which was reflected by an increased alizarin red staining intensity, an elevated ALP activity, and the up-regulated gene (ALP, osteocalcin, collagen I and RUNX2) or protein (RUNX2) expression of osteogenic makers. However, the osteogenesis capacity of rTDSCs in both hypoxic and normoxic cultures was attenuated by the inhibitor U0126.

CONCLUSION

Normoxic culture promotes osteogenic differentiation of rTDSCs compared with the hypoxic culture, and the ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in this process.

Short-Term Outcome After Arthroscopic Bursectomy Debridement of Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendonopathy With and Without Subacromial Decompression: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

To conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial to assess whether arthroscopic bursectomy and debridement of the calcific deposit, with or without subacromial decompression, influences the functional outcome of patients with calcific tendonitis.

METHODS

During a 4-year period, 80 patients were recruited who presented to the study center with refractory calcific tendonitis of the shoulder. Forty patients were randomized to have a subacromial decompression, and 40 were randomized not to have a subacromial decompression in combination with bursectomy and arthroscopic removal of the calcific deposit. All surgery was performed by one surgeon who was blinded to the functional assessment of the patients. Patient demographics, body mass index (BMI), and length of symptoms were recorded at the time of randomization. Patients were asked to complete a pain visual analog score (VAS), short form (SF-12), disability arm shoulder and hand (DASH), and Constant score (CS) preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

There were 21 male and 59 female patients with a mean age of 49 (range, 32 to 75) years. The mean time of follow-up was 13 (range, 12 to 15) months. There were no significant differences in gender, age, BMI, length of symptoms, or preoperative outcome measures assessed between the groups. Overall, for both groups there was a significant improvement in the pain VAS (P < .001), DASH (P < .001), and CS (P < .001) at 1 year compared with preoperative scores. There were no significant differences demonstrated between the groups for improvement in the pain VAS (P = .57), DASH (P = .93), SF-12 physical component score (P = .58), or CS (P = .27) at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated that the short-term functional outcome of patients with calcific tendonitis after arthroscopic bursectomy and debridement of the calcific deposit is not influenced if performed in combination with or without a subacromial decompression.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I therapeutic study, randomized controlled trial.

Arthroscopic Removal and Rotator Cuff Repair Without Acromioplasty for the Treatment of Symptomatic Calcifying Tendinitis of the Supraspinatus Tendon

Background:

Calcified rotator cuff tendinitis is a common cause of chronic shoulder pain that leads to significant pain and functional limitations. Although most patients respond well to conservative treatment, some eventually require surgical treatment.

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical outcome with arthroscopic removal of calcific deposit and rotator cuff repair without acromioplasty for the treatment of calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus tendon.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

This study retrospectively evaluated 30 consecutive patients with a mean age of 49.2 years. The mean follow-up was 35 months (range, 24-88 months). Pre- and postoperative functional assessment was performed using the Constant score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH). Pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to evaluate the recurrence of calcifications and the indemnity of the supraspinatus tendon repair.

Results:

Significant improvement was obtained for pain (mean VAS, 8.7 before surgery to 0.8 after; P < .001). The mean Constant score increased from 23.9 preoperatively to 85.3 postoperatively (P < .001), the mean Quick DASH score decreased from 47.3 preoperatively to 8.97 postoperatively (P < .001), and the UCLA score increased from 15.8 preoperatively to 32.2 postoperatively (P < .001). MRI examination at last follow-up (70% of patients) showed no tendon tears, and 96.2% of patients were satisfied with their results.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic removal and rotator cuff repair without acromioplasty can lead to good results in patients with symptomatic calcifying tendonitis of the supraspinatus tendon.

Evaluation and nonsurgical management of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy

Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy is a common finding that accounts for about 7% of patients with shoulder pain. There are numerous theories on the pathogenesis of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy. The diagnosis is confirmed with radiography, MRI or ultrasound. There are numerous conservative treatment options available and most patients can be managed successfully without surgical intervention. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and multiple modalities are often used to manage pain and inflammation; physical therapy can help improve scapular mechanics and decrease dynamic impingement; ultrasound-guided needle aspiration and lavage techniques can provide long-term improvement in pain and function in these patients.

Characterization of deposits in patients with calcific tendinopathy of the supraspinatus. Role of phytate and osteopontin

Calcific tendinopathy of the tendons of the rotator cuff is common in adults. These calcifications tend to be reabsorbed after a period of acute pain. This study evaluated the morphologic characteristics of calcific deposits and the participation of phytate and osteopontin (OPN) in their development. Calcific deposits were removed from 21 patients with calcific tendinopathy by ultrasound-guided needle puncture under local anesthesia. The removed deposits were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The amounts of calcium and phosphorus in the deposits were semi-quantitatively determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Phytate was determined in 2 h urine samples, and OPN was extracted from a pool of deposits. The calcific deposits consisted of amorphous and poorly crystalline carbonated hydroxyapatite containing molecular water and organic matter. OPN was associated with the hydroxyapatite deposits. Phytate concentrations were significantly lower in the urine of patients with calcific tendinopathy than in healthy controls. The deficit in crystallization inhibitors such as phytate, and the presence of regulators such as OPN, may play important roles in the development of calcific tendinopathy.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: what is the evidence? A systematic review with proposals for future reporting

OBJECTIVES

We performed a systematic review of current evidence regarding ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT) in the shoulder aimed to: assess different published techniques; evaluate clinical outcome in a large combined cohort; and propose suggestions for homogeneous future reporting.

METHODS

Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Guidelines were followed. We searched MEDLINE/MEDLINE In-Process/EMBASE/Cochrane databases from 1992-2013 using the keywords 'ultrasound, shoulder, needling, calcification, lavage, rotator cuff' combined in appropriate algorithms. References of resulting papers were also screened. Risk of bias was assessed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Of 284 papers found, 15 were included, treating 1,450 shoulders in 1,403 patients (females, n = 838; mean age interval 40-63 years). There was no exclusion due to risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

US-PICT of rotator cuff is a safe and effective procedure, with an estimated average 55% pain improvement at an average of 11 months, with a 10% minor complication rate. No evidence exists in favour of using a specific size/number of needles. Imaging follow-up should not be used routinely. Future studies should aim at structural uniformity, including the use of the Constant Score to assess outcomes and 1-year minimum follow-up. Alternatives to steroid injections should also be explored.

KEY POINTS

• US-PICT of rotator cuff is a safe and effective procedure. • On average 55% pain improvement with 10% minor complication rate. • No evidence exists in favour of using a specific size/number of needles. • Future need to assess outcome using Constant Score with 1-year minimum follow-up.

Relationship between chronic pathologies of the supraspinatus tendon and the long head of the biceps tendon: systematic review

BACKGROUND

Chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy is a common clinical problem that causes functional and labor disabilities in the population. It is the most frequent cause of shoulder pain. This pathology may be frequently associated to the affectation of the long head of biceps tendon (LHBT), the main stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint together with the supraspinatus. The main aim of this work is to study the prevalence of lesions in LHBT associated to the chronic pathology of the supraspinatus tendon.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out between May to July 2013 in the electronic databases: CINAHL, WOK, Medline, Scopus, PEDro, IME (CSIC) and Dialnet. The keywords used were: 1) in English: chronic, supraspinatus "long head of the biceps tendon", biceps, rotator cuff, tendinosis, tendinopathy, evaluation, examination; 2) in Spanish: supraespinoso, biceps, tendinopatía. Inclusion criteria of the articles included subjects with a previously diagnosed chronic pathology of rotator cuff (RC) without previous surgery or any other pathologies of the shoulder complex. The total number of articles included in the study were five.

RESULTS

The results show an epidemiological relationship between both tendons. The age of the subjects included in the review was between 35 and 80 years, and some of the studies seem to indicate that the tendinopathy is more frequent in men than in women. The sample size of the studies varies according to the design, the highest being composed of 229 subjects, and the minimum of 28. Not all the articles selected specify the diagnostic testing, though the ones most normally used are arthroscopy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and assessment tests. The percentage of associated lesions of LHBT and supraspinatus tendon is between 78.5% and 22%, with a major prevalence in the studies with a smaller sample.

CONCLUSIONS

The review of literature corroborates an association between the chronic pathology of the supraspinatus tendon and LHBT due to the epidemiological data. In addition, some authors confirm the existence of an anatomical and functional relationship between LHBT and the supraspinatus tendon, the latter being part of the LHBT pulley.

Comorbidities in rotator cuff disease: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff disease is a common condition in the general population, but relatively little is known about its associated risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We have undertaken a large case-control study using The Health Improvement Network database to assess and to quantify the relative contributions of some constitutional and environmental risk factors for rotator cuff disease in the community. Our data set included 5000 patients with rotator cuff disease who were individually matched with a single control by age, sex, and general practice (primary care practice).

RESULTS

The median age at diagnosis was 55 years (interquartile range, 44-65 years). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors associated with rotator cuff disease were Achilles tendinitis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78), trigger finger (OR = 1.99), lateral epicondylitis (OR = 1.71), and carpal tunnel syndrome (OR = 1.55). Oral corticosteroid therapy (OR = 2.03), oral antidiabetic use (OR = 1.66), insulin use (OR = 1.77), and "overweight" body mass index of 25.1 to 30 (OR = 1.15) were also significantly associated. Current or previous smoking history, body mass index of greater than 30, any alcohol intake, medial epicondylitis, de Quervain syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis were not found to be associated with rotator cuff disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a number of comorbidities and risk factors for rotator cuff disease. These include lateral epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Achilles tendinitis, oral corticosteroid use, and diabetes mellitus. The findings should alert the clinician to comorbid pathologic processes and guide future research into the etiology of this condition.

Evidence for minimally invasive therapies in the management of chronic calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis assessed the short-term to midterm effectiveness of minimally invasive treatments in the management of calcifying tendinopathy of the shoulder cuff, a common source of chronic shoulder pain that leads to pain, a decreased active range of motion, and loss of muscular strength. When conservative therapies fail, minimally invasive treatment options can be considered before resulting to surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to conduct this review. A systematic literature search was conducted in May 2013 to identify all studies that examined the short-term to midterm effectiveness of minimally invasive treatments for chronic calcifying tendinopathy. The primary end points were identified as function, pain, and total resorption rates. Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the quality of evidence.

RESULTS

Included were 20 studies (1544 participants). Common methodological flaws were related to randomization. In general, there is moderate-quality GRADE evidence that high-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy has a significant effect on pain relief and functional status compared with other interventions. There is variable-quality GRADE evidence on the efficiency of other interventions.

CONCLUSION

High-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy is the most thoroughly investigated minimally invasive treatment option in the short-term to midterm and has proven to be a safe and effective treatment. Ultrasound-guided needling is safe but has not been proven to be more effective than an ultrasound-guided subacromial corticosteroid injection in recent level I research, and further research will have to prove its effectiveness.

Synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa mimicking calcific tendinitis: sonographic diagnosis

Synovial osteochondromatosis is an idiopathic benign metaplasia of the synovial membrane rarely found in an extra-articular bursa. We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman with synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa mimicking calcific tendinitis. Plain radiographs showed a radiopaque mass over the middle facet of the greater tuberosity, suggesting calcific tendinitis. Sonography, however, showed a loose body in the subacromial bursa, and no evidence of calcification inside the rotator cuff.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on surgical outcomes in sports medicine

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects a significant proportion of the patients evaluated and treated by orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine. Sports-medicine-related conditions associated with DM include tendinopathy, adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, and articular cartilage disease. This article reviews the current literature adressing the effect of DM on surgical outcomes in sports medicine. In general, patients with DM undergo operations more frequently and experience inferior surgical outcomes compared with patients without DM. Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased rates of complications from sports medicine procedures, such as infection, delayed healing, and failure of the operation. However, additional research is needed to determine the full impact of DM on patient outcomes in sports medicine. Surgeons should be cognizant of special considerations in the population of patients with DM and aim to tailor the surgical management of this growing patient population.