Looking for a treatment for calcific tendinopathy in the Vancouver area?
The UBC Sport and Exercise Medicine Clinic offers barbotage therapy, a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided procedure that breaks up and removes calcium deposits.
What is Calcific Tendinopathy?
Calcific tendinopathy occurs when calcium deposits form within a tendon, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility. Barbotage works by relieving pressure and promoting healing.
What is Barbotage Therapy?
Barbotage therapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat calcific tendinopathy, particularly in the rotator cuff of the shoulder. It involves using ultrasound guidance to break up and remove calcium deposits within a tendon.
When is Barbotage Helpful?
This treatment may be recommended when:
- Conservative treatments (e.g., physiotherapy, corticosteroid injections, NSAIDs) have not provided relief
- Range of motion is limited, or pain is persistent
- Patients are seeking a non-surgical option for tendon-related pain
Is Barbotage Right for You?
An X-ray or other imaging is typically used to confirm the presence of calcific deposits. If no calcification is found, other treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be more appropriate.
Barbotage is commonly used to treat calcific tendinopathies such as:
- Supraspinatus tendinopathy
- Infraspinatus tendinopathy
- Subscapularis tendinopathy
What to Expect During Treatment
- The calcium deposit is identified using ultrasound
- A fine needle is inserted into the deposit and moved to break it apart
- The calcium is then dissolved and removed through the needle
- A corticosteroid injection may follow, depending on your physician’s recommendation
For more information, click here to see the Barbotage Therapy Injection Information Sheet.
Getting Started
All procedures require an initial consultation with one of our physicians. If you are new to the clinic, a referral from a GP or walk-in doctor is required.
Note: Barbotage is not covered under MSP. Please check with your extended health insurance provider to confirm coverage.