Long-Term Course of Shoulders After Ultrasound Therapy for Calcific Tendinitis: Results of the 10-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of the study was to follow both the structure- and function-related long-term course of shoulders that had been treated with therapeutic ultrasound for symptomatic calcific tendinitis.

Design: This is a long-term follow-up of 45 shoulders (37 patients) that had been treated for symptomatic calcific tendinitis with either a series of ultrasound or sham ultrasound 10 yrs ago. The main outcome variables were presence of calcium deposits and subacromial impingement on standardized x-ray imaging, shoulder symptoms (Binder score), and function (Constant score).