Calcific Barbotage Treatment Newcastle

After your initial consultation at our Newcastle clinic, an ultrasound scan is performed to confirm the presence and location of the calcium deposit. We then carry out a short safety questionnaire to assess your suitability for the procedure. If everything is appropriate, the barbotage can take place during the same appointment, meaning you leave Newcastle having had both your diagnosis and your treatment.

At the start of the procedure, the target area is cleaned and numbed with a local anaesthetic. Sterile ultrasound gel is applied to allow the clinician to obtain a clear real-time image of the shoulder. Using this live ultrasound view, the needle is guided precisely into the centre of the calcium deposit, where it is used to liquefy or fragment the calcification. Where possible, the material is then aspirated from the area.

You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort at certain points during the procedure, though most patients tolerate it well. If the calcium is relatively soft, a saline solution is used to liquefy and draw out as much of the deposit as possible. A steroid injection is then administered into the bursa to settle inflammation. The entire procedure typically takes 40 to 60 minutes.

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the Calcific Barbotage procedure is. You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort, particularly when the needle reaches the calcium deposit. Local anaesthesia is used throughout to minimise any pain from needle insertion, and our Newcastle clinician will check in with you at each stage to ensure you feel as at ease as possible.

We recommend bringing someone with you to your Newcastle appointment, as they can drive you home afterwards.

For the first 48 hours, apply ice packs for 10 minutes at a time as often as needed. Avoid any activities that aggravate the shoulder and return to your normal routine gradually. We advise two weeks of relative rest, avoiding lifting, pulling or pushing through the treated shoulder. You may continue to take any regular pain relief medications as prescribed.

It is completely normal to experience some discomfort for a few days after the procedure. This is a sign that your body is absorbing the calcium and beginning the healing process, and in many cases, the shoulder feels significantly better within two to four weeks. While calcific barbotage is a highly effective and minimally invasive procedure, as with any injection treatment, there is a small risk of allergic reaction, infection, or a temporary pain flare-up in the days following treatment.

Depending on your referral pathway and the outcome of your procedure, a follow-up appointment may be recommended. Our Newcastle clinician will discuss this with you before you leave the clinic on the day of your treatment and advise on the best next steps for your individual recovery.

In some cases, if the calcium deposit is large or partially reabsorbed, more than one barbotage session may be needed. If the deposit reappears in the rotator cuff tendon at a later stage, a further procedure may be appropriate. Your clinician will guide you through your options based on how your shoulder responds.

The cost of Calcific Barbotage treatment may vary depending on the area being treated and the number of procedures required. Where more than one injection is carried out at the same appointment, an additional discount is applied.

View Joint Care North East Treatment Pricing Page for a full breakdown of costs