Changes in size of periarthritis calcifications in patients with painful shoulder treated with injectable disodium-clodronate.

Abstract

Calcific periarticular disease is characterized by the deposition of calcium phosphate crystals in many tendons and particularly in the rotator cuff tendons. Calcifications of any size may be accompanied by painful shoulder syndrome and tendon tears. Ecographic assessment of changes in the size of calcifications may be a marker of tissue changes in evolving shoulder periarthropathies. The aim of this study was to compare variations in pain and ultrasound dimensions in the calcifications in the tendons of the rotator cuff in patients treated with disodium-clodronate compared with those treated with paracetamol and nimesulide. In all groups, pain reduction occurred over a 6-month period, but was significantly greater in patients administered disodium-clodronate than in those administered nimesulide or paracetamol. A significant reduction in the size of calcifications was also observed in all three groups, but this reduction was more marked in the disodium-clodronate group.