TY - JOUR T1 - Is ultrasound-guided lavage an effective intervention for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy? A systematic review with a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials JF - BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine JO - BMJ OPEN SP EX MED DO - 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000506 VL - 5 IS - 1 SP - e000506 AU - Simon Lafrance AU - Patrick Doiron-Cadrin AU - Marie Saulnier AU - Martin Lamontagne AU - Nathalie J Bureau AU - Joseph-Omer Dyer AU - Jean-Sébastien Roy AU - François Desmeules Y1 - 2019/03/01 UR - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/5/1/e000506.abstract N2 - Background Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy is characterised by the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals in one of the rotator cuff tendons and can be managed by ultrasound-guided lavage. However, evidence regarding the efficacy of ultrasound-guided lavage for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy remains inconclusive. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to update the available evidence on the efficacy of ultrasound-guided lavage in adults with rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy.Methods A literature search was conducted up to April 2018 in four bibliographic databases to identify randomised control trials that compared ultrasound-guided lavage alone with other interventions to treat rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy. Randomised control trials were assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analyses and/or qualitative synthesis of the evidence were performed.Results Three randomised control trials were included. Pooled results for pain (n=226) indicated that ultrasound-guided lavage may significantly decrease pain when compared with shockwave therapy, with a mean difference of −1.98 out of 10 points (95% CI −2.52 to −1.45) in the short term and of −1.84 (95% CI −2.63 to −1.04) in the long term. Based on one trial (n=25), ultrasound-guided lavage significantly improved function when compared with shockwave therapy (p<0.05). Based on another trial (n=48), the addition of ultrasound-guided lavage to a corticosteroid injection significantly improves function in the long term (p<0.05).Conclusion For individuals with rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy, low-quality evidence suggests that ultrasound-guided lavage is more effective than shockwave therapy or a corticosteroid injection alone. Future trials could modify the present conclusions.Trial registration number CRD42018095858. ER -