Ultrasound-Guided Barbotage (for Calcific Tendonitis)
Non-surgical, high-precision washing of shoulder calcium deposits.
A specialized ultrasound-guided procedure to break up and wash away painful calcium deposits in shoulder tendons, relieving calcific tendonitis.
Book your shoulder barbotage procedure below.
Specialist Shoulder Barbotage for Calcific Tendonitis
Calcific tendonitis is a painful condition caused by the accumulation of calcium deposits inside the tendons of the shoulder's rotator cuff. It causes severe, restricted shoulder pain and stiffness. Ultrasound-guided barbotage (or lavage) is a highly successful, non-surgical treatment that uses real-time imaging to wash out these calcium deposits.
At LifeScan Malta, our consultant radiologists perform shoulder barbotage under local anaesthetic at our Naxxar clinic. The procedure breaks up the calcium, flushes it out using saline, and includes a steroid injection to prevent post-procedure inflammation.
Calcium Lavage & Washing
Breaking Up Deposits
We wash out the calcium deposits using real-time needle guidance:
- Locating the calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendon (usually supraspinatus)
- Injecting saline repeatedly (barbotage) to dissolve and suction out the chalky calcium
- Promoting natural healing of the tendon tissue
Steroid Infiltration
Reducing Inflammation
We complete the procedure with anti-inflammatory support:
- Injecting steroid into the subacromial bursa to prevent post-washing inflammation
- Numbing the shoulder area fully using targeted local anaesthesia
- Immediate post-care advice to support recovery
Preparation & Recovery Guidelines
- Transport: Because your shoulder will be numbed, you should not drive immediately after the procedure. Please arrange a ride home.
- Blood Thinners: Inform us if you are taking blood-thinning medications, as you may need to pause them prior to the procedure.
- Post-Care: Rest your arm and avoid lifting or strenuous activity for 48 hours. The shoulder may feel sore for a few days before pain relief starts.
Transparent, Dynamic Pricing
At LifeScan Malta, we believe in transparent pricing without surprises.
Because our booking fees are dynamic and subject to adjustments, the current up-to-date scan price is displayed directly in the booking widget below.
Prices are kept current in our digital calendar system so you never have to worry about outdated price lists on our pages.
Book Your Ultrasound-Guided Barbotage (for Calcific Tendonitis)
Select an appointment time below. Your appointment will be handled by our consultant specialists.
Why Choose LifeScan?
Experience board-certified expertise, same-day reporting, and state-of-the-art imaging.
Non-Surgical Shoulder Treatment
Avoids the need for arthroscopic shoulder surgery to remove calcium deposits, with excellent success rates.
Real-Time Ultrasound Guidance
Guiding the needle under live imaging ensures precise targeting within the thin tendon layers.
Double-Action Infiltration
Includes calcium washing and subacromial steroid injection in a single, comprehensive procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Ultrasound-Guided Barbotage (for Calcific Tendonitis).
What is calcific tendonitis?
It is a condition where calcium deposits build up inside shoulder tendons, causing intense inflammation, severe pain, and restricted arm movement.
Is the barbotage procedure painful?
The shoulder is fully numbed using local anaesthesia. You will feel pressure and some movement during the washing, but it should not be painful. There may be some post-procedure soreness as the anaesthetic wears off, which is managed with standard painkillers.
How successful is barbotage?
Barbotage has a high success rate (over 70-80%) in resolving pain and improving shoulder movement, making it the preferred first-line clinical treatment before considering surgery.