We evaluated the results of surgical treatments for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder according to operative methods.

Retrospective review was done on 32 patients surgically treated for calcific tendinitis from January 1996 through December 2002. Mean age of two groups, open (16 cases) and arthroscopic (16 cases), was 43 years and 46 years, respectively, and mean follow-up after the operation, 9 months and 11 months, respectively. The results of the operation were clinically and radiologically evaluated. The Constant-Murley score was used for the shoulder function.

There was no significant difference in pain relief, improvement of range of motion and maintenance of abduction power between the two groups. In both groups, range of rotation was markedly limited and more than 30% of the patients in each group suffered postoperative pain for more than 12 weeks. Preoperatively, the Constant-Murley score was 33 and 32, respectively and at the final follow-up, 80 and 78, respectively.

Open and arthroscopic surgery for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder were successful and there was no significant difference in the overall results between the two groups.