Clinical and radiological outcomes of ultrasound-guided barbotage using a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder

Methods@#Thirty-six patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder treated by US-guided barbotage with a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection were included in the study. We evaluated clinical outcomes based on American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score. Radiological outcomes were assessed by X-ray imaging at each visit. @*Results@#Our results showed that US-guided barbotage and subacromial steroid injection produced good clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Of the 36 patients, only one required surgical treatment, while the others showed improvement without any complications. Compared to values before the procedure, calcific deposit size and VAS, ASES, and Constant scores showed significant improvement 6 weeks after the procedure. No significant correlation was found between the initial calcific deposit size and clinical outcomes at each time point. @*Conclusions@#In patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, US-guided barbotage using a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection can yield satisfactory clinical and radiological results.

Minimal Invasive Fixation Methods for the Metacarpal Fracture

Purpose@#This study compared the radiologic and clinical outcomes of metacarpal fractures treated with two minimally invasive surgical techniques: Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation and headless screw fixation. @*Materials and Methods@#This study included 52 patients (46 males and 6 females; age 18-55 years) with distal metacarpal fractures (middle and distal shaft, including the neck) who had undergone K-wire fixation or headless screw fixation. All subjects were followed up for at least six months. The radiologic assessments were performed to evaluate the angular deformity and shortenings. The total active motion (TAM), grip strength, and patients’ subjective functional assessment were measured to evaluatethe hand function. The time taken to return to work (RTW) and adverse events were analyzed. @*Results@#Of the 52 cases, metacarpal fractures treated with headless screw fixation and K-wire fixation showed a significant difference associated with early RTW (p0.05). @*Conclusion@#After a six-month follow-up, minimally invasive K-wire fixation and headless screw fixation produced similar clinical and radiologic outcomes in subjects with metacarpal fractures. Compared to K-wire fixation, however, headless screw fixation led to earlier functional recovery and might be a better option for treating metacarpal fractures in this regard.