%0 Journal Article %A Simon Lafrance %A Patrick Doiron-Cadrin %A Marie Saulnier %A Martin Lamontagne %A Nathalie J Bureau %A Joseph-Omer Dyer %A Jean-Sébastien Roy %A François Desmeules %T Is ultrasound-guided lavage an effective intervention for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy? A systematic review with a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials %D 2019 %R 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000506 %J BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine %P e000506 %V 5 %N 1 %X 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. %U https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/bmjosem/5/1/e000506.full.pdf