Barbotage for Calcific Tendinitis – Hollywood, FL
Get Moving Again
with Minimally Invasive Treatment
Do you often experience shoulder pain or symptoms of frozen shoulder? Do you struggle with mobility issues and pain at other places throughout your body? It is possible that you have calcific tendinitis (also spelled tendonitis). Our Hollywood orthopedic team is eager to help you experience relief via a procedure known as barbotage, which is both quick and minimally invasive. It is possible thanks to our musculoskeletal ultrasound technology. Continue reading below to learn more about barbotage, and give us a call when you are ready to ask questions or book your consultation.
What Is Barbotage?
Calcific tendinitis is a medical condition that is characterized by calcium deposits on tendons. (Tendons are connective tissues that connect bones and muscles.) If the calcium deposits are relatively small and soft, they might not cause any symptoms. In some people, though, they cause significant pain and mobility limitations. This problem is most common in the shoulder joint, but it sometimes afflicts other areas of the body as well.
There are several treatments available for calcific tendinitis, from rest and mild painkillers to surgical procedures. Here at The Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics in Hollywood, we tend to favor barbotage as the best way to help patients find relief. This treatment uses ultrasound technology to locate the calcium deposits, after which we use a needle to break them up.
The Process of Barbotage
To begin the barbotage process, we clean and numb the treatment area. Then, we use musculoskeletal ultrasound to examine the tendon and find the calcium deposits. Next, we insert a needle to break up the calcium. With softer deposits, we may flush the area with a saline solution and then suction it out, removing some of the calcium at the same time. To finish up, we may inject a small dose of steroid medication to minimize inflammation. The entire treatment typically takes around 30 minutes.
The Benefits of Barbotage
Some noteworthy benefits of barbotage include:
- It involves a minimal level of risk.
- Ultrasound is a precise technology that can allow us to find even very small calcium deposits. It can also help us to diagnose conditions that are sometimes associated with calcific tendinitis.
- Barbotage causes minimal damage to nearby healthy tissues.
- Successful barbotage treatment may help you to avoid more invasive procedures, such as surgery.
Aftercare Instructions for Barbotage
It is common for patients to experience some discomfort and soreness after barbotage. Here are some tips that can encourage a smooth healing process:
- Do not use NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. It is fine to take acetaminophen.
- Do not lift anything heavier than two pounds for at least a couple of weeks.
- Periodically ice the treated area.
- Attend all follow-up appointments recommended by our team.
