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Effectiveness of treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder by disodium EDTA

  1. Angelo Cacchio1,*,
  2. Elisabetta De Blasis2,
  3. Piergiorgio Desiati1,
  4. Giorgio Spacca1,
  5. Valter Santilli3,
  6. Fosco De Paulis4

Article first published online: 30 DEC 2008

DOI: 10.1002/art.24370

Issue

Arthritis Care & Research

Arthritis Care & Research

Volume 61, Issue 1, pages 84–91, 15 January 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Cacchio, A., De Blasis, E., Desiati, P., Spacca, G., Santilli, V. and De Paulis, F. (2009), Effectiveness of treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder by disodium EDTA. Arthritis Care & Research, 61: 84–91. doi: 10.1002/art.24370

Author Information

  1. 1

    San Salvatore Hospital of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali 1, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy

  2. 2

    SS. Filippo e Nicola Hospital of Avezzano, Localitá Tre Conche, Avezzano, L'Aquila, Italy

  3. 3

    La Sapienza University of Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy

  4. 4

    Valle Giulia Clinic, Via G. De Notaris 2, 00197 Rome, Italy

*Dipartimento di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione, Ospedale San Salvatore di L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 30 DEC 2008
  2. Article first published online: 30 DEC 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 15 AUG 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 16 JUN 2008

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of disodium EDTA administration in the treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.

Methods

Eighty patients with radiographically verified calcific tendinitis of the shoulder were enrolled between September 2001 and October 2003. Patients were randomly assigned to either a study group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). Pain and functional level were evaluated before and after treatment and at 1-year followup. Radiographic modifications in calcifications were evaluated before and after treatment. Disodium EDTA was administered through single needle mesotherapy and 15 minutes of pulsed-mode 1 MHz-ultrasound.

Results

The study group displayed improvement in all of the parameters analyzed after treatment and at the 1-year followup. Calcifications disappeared completely in 62.5% of the patients in the study group and partially in 22.5%; calcifications partially disappeared in only 15% of the patients in the control group, and none displayed a complete disappearance.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the use of disodium EDTA for the management of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder is safe and effective, leading to a significant reduction in pain, improvement in shoulder function, and disappearance of calcifications after 4 weeks, without adverse effects.

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