Surgery for Calcific Tendinitis

 A probe is inserted into the rotator cuff tendon and the deposit.

The released calcium looks like toothpaste, as it is removed.

Patient Experience:

"I started with severe pain in my right arm, mainly the bicep and shoulder. The pain was indescribable, but to try to relate, it was like a Chinese burn feels but more severe and longer lasting.

All this started around 30 months ago, the pain came on doing simple movements such as reaching into a floor standing fridge. The bending down and twisting of the arm brought on the pain instantly, then came the movement restrictions, I could not put my arm behind my back above waist level.

After the first year my left arm started going the same way.

I went to my G.P. who thought it could be frozen shoulder, ibuprofen and other inflammatory tablets were prescribed, to which I got no relief. I then went to a physiotherapist who after many sessions could not give me any respite, referred me to Dr James Brown. Dr Brown gave me tests and steroid injections every 3 months together with acupuncture for over a year but this gave little relief and no advancement of movement, I could not even fasten a bra in the normal way.

Frustration was setting in and Dr Brown referred me to Mr Len Funk, Mr Funk was a specialist in shoulder surgery involving keyhole methods.

Mr Funk operated on both my shoulders, first my right, then 4 weeks later my left

He removed the calcium deposits and reshaped the spur bone. The operation consisted of 2 tiny holes in my shoulder, which did not even require stitches, under general anaesthetic. I was operated on and went home the same day, although you can stay overnight if you wish.

I could not wait to have the operations done because my consultation with Mr Funk satisfied me that I would regain full movement back into my shoulders.

I had the first shoulder done in late February 2004 and the second one on March 23rd.

After the operation you wear a soft sling for 2-3 days and I personally had little pain from the operations, with just a slight feeling of bruising where the keyhole surgery took place.

I may have been lucky but a knowledgeable and skilful surgeon has done a great job for me. I resumed swimming after 2 weeks and played golf after 4 weeks.

I am yet to have physio but already I have great pain reduction and more movement and things will only get better now.

I would recommend this procedure with Mr Funk to anyone having shoulder pain and if anyone would like talk to me more about the operation I would be pleased to oblige through Mr Funk. "