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Advanced Musculoskeletal
Interventions:
BARBOTAGE

£850 – £1,000

Krida Harley Street offers a specialist treatment for calcific tendinopathy, known as Ultrasound Guided Barbotage. Ultrasound Guided Barbotage is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that involves introducing a needle into the calcific deposits.

Initially, the skin is marked and sterilised and a local anaesthetic is injected into the skin, through to the bursa and then into the calcification. Saline is then injected into the calcification in several short motions. Each short injection is followed by the release of the pressure on the plunger to allow the solution and calcific material to exit back through the syringe. Ultrasound guided barbotage is completed with an injection of steroid into the bursa.

There is a 60-70% chance of significant or complete improvement in symptoms of calcific tendinopathy.

Many of our procedures can be diagnosed and performed in one session. In order to explain your specific condition, please book an initial free consultation and we will discuss your options with you on the phone.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

The procedure can be painful, but most people can tolerate it with local anaesthetic.
There is a small risk of infection following the procedure. If you experience symptoms such as unexpected pain, warmth or redness around the injected area or unexplained fever or flu-like symptoms you should immediately consult your GP or attend A&E. Please explain that you have recently had Barbotage, as an infection could potentially be serious.
Although it is rare, you may experience an allergic reaction to the drugs used.
Roughly ⅓ of patients do not respond to Barbotage treatment and are offered surgery.

POST PROCEDURE

Sometimes you may require two treatments, six weeks apart.
We advise that you organise for a close friend or family member to accompany you to your appointment and drive you home.
We advise booking an appointment to see a physiotherapist two weeks following the procedure.

Advantages of Ultrasound Guided Barbotage

No General Anaesthesia
It is an outpatient procedure
Ultrasound images provide excellent visualisation of the needle tip and calcification/s, even if they are tiny.
Ultrasound images can identify any associated conditions, such as bursitis.
Precise injection of the needle into the calcification
Minimal damage to tendons
Ultrasound guidance carries lower risk than X-Ray guidance.