Shoulder Barbotage for Calcific Tendinitis, Cardiff & South Wales
Break up and remove the calcium causing your shoulder pain, without surgery. A safe, commonly performed procedure, guided on live ultrasound by a Consultant Radiologist.
guided shoulder barbotage 30 mins No surgery
What's included for £399
- ✓Consultation with a Consultant Radiologist
- ✓Live ultrasound guidance into the calcium deposit
- ✓Local anaesthetic, saline lavage and steroid
- ✓Written report and aftercare advice
- ✓Exercise advice for your recovery
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
the same day
procedure time
every year
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Why choose Acorn
Experienced radiologists
Barbotage needs precise needle work. Our consultant radiologists perform it themselves.
Into the deposit
Live ultrasound lets us see the calcium and guide the needle right into it.
Seen within 48 hours
No long wait in pain. Most appointments are booked within 48 hours of enquiry.
HIW regulated
Inspected by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, with GMC-registered consultants.
Removing the calcium behind the pain
Calcific tendinitis happens when calcium builds up in one of the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder, most often the supraspinatus. The deposit can be very painful, especially at night, and can restrict how far you can lift or move your arm.
Barbotage is a safe, commonly performed procedure to break down and remove that calcium. Under ultrasound guidance, your consultant places a needle into the deposit and repeatedly flushes in and draws back saline, breaking up the calcium and washing it out. A steroid injection is then given to calm the inflammation around the tendon.
It's done under local anaesthetic, takes about 30 minutes, and you go home the same day. Unlike a steroid injection alone, which eases the pain but leaves the calcium behind, barbotage treats the cause, and for many people it resolves the problem for good.
Barbotage may help if any of these sound familiar
Three steps, one appointment
All done under local anaesthetic, guided on live ultrasound by a Consultant Radiologist.
Find the deposit
Your consultant locates the calcium in the rotator cuff tendon on ultrasound and numbs the area with local anaesthetic.
Break it up and wash it out
Guided on live ultrasound, a needle is passed into the deposit. Saline is flushed in and drawn back repeatedly to break up the calcium and remove as much as possible.
Settle the inflammation
A steroid injection into the bursa above the tendon helps calm inflammation and reduce pain after the procedure.
Not every deposit is suitable for barbotage. Your consultant will look at its size and type on ultrasound and tell you honestly whether it's the right treatment.
Calcific tendinitis treatment options
Most people do best with a combination. We'll help you choose the right next step.
Physio and rest
- What it does
- Keeps the shoulder moving while the calcium settles
- On its own
- Can take many months
- At Acorn
- Alongside every option
Steroid injection
- What it does
- Eases pain and inflammation
- On its own
- Calcium stays in the tendon
- At Acorn
- £350
Barbotage
- What it does
- Breaks up and removes the calcium, plus steroid
- Recovery
- Home the same day
- At Acorn
- £399
Surgery
- What it does
- Removes the deposit in an operation
- Recovery
- Hospital procedure, longer recovery
- At Acorn
- Onward referral if needed
Your procedure, step by step
Meet your consultant
We talk through your shoulder, scans and medication, and answer your questions.
Locate the calcium
The deposit is found on ultrasound, then the skin is cleaned and the area numbed.
Barbotage (about 30 mins)
The calcium is broken up and washed out under live ultrasound, followed by a steroid injection.
Home with a plan
Aftercare and exercise advice before you leave, with a written report to follow.
What recovery looks like
Same day
Your arm may feel numb, heavy or weak for a few hours from the local anaesthetic. Arrange a lift home.
First few days
Soreness is common as the anaesthetic wears off. Over-the-counter pain relief, like paracetamol or ibuprofen, helps.
First 48 hours
Avoid heavy lifting and overhead activity. Gentle everyday use of the arm is fine.
Following weeks
Pain usually settles as the tendon recovers. Build back up gradually and keep up any exercises we give you.
Physio
Gentle physiotherapy can help restore strength and movement, especially if the pain has limited you for a while.
Any concerns
Call us on 029 2199 9300 if your shoulder becomes hot, red or increasingly painful, or you feel unwell.
Preparation — no fasting needed
How to prepare for barbotage
Afterwards: avoid heavy lifting and overhead activity for at least 48 hours, take over-the-counter pain relief if needed, and build back up gradually. Your consultant will give you specific instructions before you leave.
You can also read the NHS ultrasound-guided barbotage patient leaflet.
What our patients say
I was given an almost immediate appointment with clear guidance. Dr Syed conversed with me in a reassuring manner. I left with excellent aftercare advice. The next day I am completely pain free!
Very professional clinic. I felt safe and looked after by Dr Syed Junaid and his team. I travelled far to the clinic, and am very pleased I did.
Excellent service. From a fantastic easy online booking service to the procedure itself — the doctor fed back the result directly to me. Very efficient and professional.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for the whole procedure, with no hidden extras.
Steroid injection
- ✓Ultrasound-guided steroid into the shoulder
- ✓Eases pain and inflammation
- ✓Diagnostic scan of the area included
Shoulder barbotage
- ✓Calcium broken up and washed out
- ✓Steroid injection included
- ✓Ultrasound-guided by a consultant
Hydrodilatation
- ✓For a stiff, painful frozen shoulder
- ✓Stretches the tight joint capsule
- ✓Ultrasound-guided by a consultant
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
All prices include consultation, ultrasound-guided procedure, medication, written report and aftercare advice.
Barbotage at our Penarth clinic
Penarth Clinic
13 Washington Buildings
Stanwell Road, Penarth
CF64 2AD
10 minutes from Cardiff city centre · Free street parking · 5-minute walk from Penarth station
Get directionsPatients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Cowbridge, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about shoulder barbotage
How much does shoulder barbotage cost in Cardiff?
Ultrasound-guided shoulder barbotage at Acorn is £399 all-inclusive. That covers the consultant consultation, the ultrasound-guided procedure, local anaesthetic and steroid, sterile equipment, a written report and aftercare advice.
What is shoulder barbotage?
Barbotage is a minimally invasive procedure to break down and remove calcium deposits from the rotator cuff tendons. Under ultrasound guidance, a needle is placed into the deposit and saline is repeatedly flushed in and drawn back to break up the calcium and wash it out. A steroid injection is usually given at the end to calm inflammation.
What is calcific tendinitis?
Calcific tendinitis is when calcium builds up in one of the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder, most often the supraspinatus. It's most common between the ages of 30 and 60. The deposit can cause sudden, severe pain and make it hard to lift or move the arm.
Does barbotage work?
It's a safe and commonly performed procedure, and for many people it resolves the problem for good. How well it works depends on the size and type of deposit, which your consultant will assess on ultrasound and discuss with you beforehand.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, a referral is required for all injections, including barbotage. It can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant. Please email it to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment. No referral? Book a £120 consultation with one of our doctors first.
Do I need a scan first?
We need to see the calcium to treat it. If you've already had an X-ray or ultrasound showing a deposit, please send the report with your referral. If not, a shoulder ultrasound scan can confirm whether calcium is causing your pain.
Is barbotage painful?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic first, so most people feel pressure rather than sharp pain during the procedure. It's common for the shoulder to be sore for a few days afterwards as the anaesthetic wears off.
How long does it take?
The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. Allow a little extra time for your consultation beforehand and aftercare advice afterwards.
How long is the recovery?
Expect some soreness for a few days. Avoid heavy lifting and overhead activity for at least 48 hours, then build back up gradually. Pain usually improves over the following weeks, and gentle physio can help restore strength and movement.
What are the risks?
Complications are uncommon. The most likely is a temporary increase in pain for a few days after the procedure. Infection, bleeding and allergic reaction are rare. Because steroid is used, some people notice facial flushing, a night or two of poor sleep, or, if diabetic, raised blood sugar for a few days.
Is barbotage better than a steroid injection?
A steroid injection can ease the pain, but the calcium stays in the tendon, so pain often returns. Barbotage removes the calcium and includes a steroid injection, so it treats the cause as well as the symptoms.
Can I drive home afterwards?
We recommend arranging a lift. The local anaesthetic can leave your arm feeling numb, heavy or weak for a few hours.
Is barbotage covered by health insurance?
Many insurers cover it when there's a clinical need. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz. Check with your insurer and bring an authorisation code.
Where can I have barbotage near Cardiff?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre with free street parking.
Clear the calcium, ease the pain.
Ultrasound-guided barbotage for calcific tendinitis, performed by a Consultant Radiologist. Home the same day, most appointments within 48 hours. £399 all-inclusive.
Still not sure? Start with a £120 consultation.
We'll examine you, scan if needed and recommend the right treatment. Book your procedure the same day and the £120 is credited against it.
Book a consultation