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Tendon Calcification Therapy

Calcium can often build up in tendons and tissues near a joint, which causes pain and makes movement difficult. Treating this calcium can help permanently reduce pain. We use ultrasound to localize the deposit and remove the calcium with a needle.

After the treatment, a local steroid is injected to reduce inflammation. We arrange a follow-up ultrasound six months after your treatment for re-assessment, and to plan additional procedures, if required. Calcium deposits must meet specific size criteria to be amenable to this procedure. We advise a diagnostic bursal steroid injection before this procedure is considered.

During your procedure, we have treated your calcium and encouraged your body to resorb any residual calcium causing your pain. This may take 2-4 weeks to take full effect.

Patients receiving pain management treatments who need language interpretation or prefer to communicate in a language other than English are encouraged to bring a family member or friend to their appointment to assist with translation. This ensures that patients fully understand the procedure and necessary instructions. If the patient is unable to comprehend the instructions, the appointment may need to be rescheduled. As Mayfair does not provide language interpreters, it is essential for patients to make these arrangements in advance.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY PROCEDURE?

  • If you are on anticoagulation drugs (Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin etc.) you may need to have an international normalized ratio (INR) test and stop your medication prior to the procedure. Please inform our booking coordinators of any blood thinners you may be taking, so that they can discuss further instructions with you.
  • If you take insulin to manage your diabetes, please let your booking coordinator know. You may have some juice and a small snack after taking your insulin.
  • If you are currently taking antibiotics, you will need to wait two days after your last dose to be able to have your injection done.
  • Take all prescribed medications as directed.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception.
  • Bring photo identification and your provincial health card.
  • Wear comfortable clothes.
  • Please do not bring children who require supervision.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY PROCEDURE?

  • We may provide you with a comfortable clinic gown to change into (depending on the area being treated).
  • A team member will go over the consent form, explain procedure details, and answer any questions.
  • We will then escort you to our treatment suite where you will meet the radiologist who will clean the skin and inject a local anesthetic, similar to the freezing you get at the dentist.
  • Ultrasound will be used to guide the needle into the area of interest. Once in position the radiologist will attempt to extract or aspirate the calcium deposit from the affected tendon and an anti-inflammatory may then be injected.
  • Any remaining calcium deposits will be gradually re-absorbed by your body.
  • You will be assessed post-injection by our team and, if there are no concerns, you will be free to leave.

POST-PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

  • First 24 hours: Keep the treatment area clean. Leave the Band-Aid on. Do not shower.
  • First 48 hours: Avoid bathtubs, hot tubs, and pools. Avoid strenuous activities and lifting. The pain may temporarily worsen due to inflammation during the first 24-48 hours. Take Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and apply heat or cold as needed.
  • After one week: You may gradually return to activity and resume physiotherapy. Be mindful of your pain and stop if it hurts too much. Notify your physiotherapist that you have had this injection so they can modify your exercises if necessary.
  • Watch for infection: If you develop worsening pain, skin redness at the site of injection, or a temperature greater than 38.5°C, please proceed to an urgent care or emergency centre.
  • If you have pain or other symptoms beyond 48 hours after your injection, this is a normal reaction. You may apply heat and ice to the treatment area. If you have any questions, please email us at paintherapy@radiology.ca during business hours.
  • Diabetics: Note that cortisone can cause a temporary increase in blood sugar. Please monitor your blood sugar closely and if you have any concerns, consult with your doctor.
  • Anti-coagulant therapy: You will be directed when to resume any anti-coagulant (blood thinners) medication.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?

  • During your procedure, we have treated your calcium and encouraged your body to resorb any residual calcium causing your pain. This may take 2-4 weeks to take full effect.
  • We will arrange a follow-up ultrasound in six months to assess your response to this treatment. At that time, you will be asked about your level of activity, range of motion, and pain score to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and guide further management.
  • If your symptoms recur before your follow-up ultrasound, a bursal steroid injection may be considered.
  • If an injection does not help relieve your symptoms, then you may need further evaluation by your referring doctor for another cause of your symptoms.
  • Please consult with your doctor regarding your results and any follow up exams or questions.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is covered under your Alberta Health Care Plan. It is not currently offered at our Saskatchewan clinics.

PLEASE NOTE:

Please bring the following to your appointment: a valid government-issued ID, your provincial health card, and your exam requisition (if you have received one).

FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Please ensure that you bring your requisition with you to your appointment.

DURATION

30 minutes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does the procedure take to work?
During your procedure, we have treated your calcium and encouraged your body to resorb any residual calcium causing your pain. This may take 2-4 weeks to take full effect.
How long will the treatment last?
We will arrange a follow-up ultrasound in six months to assess your response to this treatment. At that time, you will be asked about your level of activity, range of motion, and pain score to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and guide further management. If your symptoms recur before your follow-up ultrasound, a bursal steroid injection may be considered. If an injection does not help relieve your symptoms, then you may need further evaluation by your referring doctor for another cause of your symptoms.
How many procedures can I have and how often?
We will arrange a follow-up ultrasound to re-assess the tendon after six months to ensure the calcium is reabsorbing and your symptoms are improving. Rarely, a repeat procedure will be recommended. If your pain persists, a repeat bursal steroid injection may be considered at six weeks post-treatment.
What are the side effects?
A common side effect of the procedure is mild pain or bruising around the area. Over-the-counter pain medication or icing the area can help. Very rare side effects may include infection or tearing of the tendon.
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We foster a supportive and collaborative culture designed to encourage positive patient experiences and build strong working relationships across the organization:

  • We recognize each other for our contributions – big and small.
  • We focus on teamwork and personal accountability to achieve our goals.
  • When we commit to deadlines, we complete the work as promised, by when we promised. If we realize we can’t keep our commitments, we collaborate to find new deadlines well in advance of the original ones.
  • We feel safe to speak up responsibly. That means we freely share what’s on our minds in a way that is respectful and supports the success of the organization.
  • We commit to our patients and their needs. We show up each day ready to live our vision, mission, and values.
  • We challenge each other to grow and develop our skills and we support each other to do so.
  • Above all, we go the extra mile to support our patients and colleagues. 

Our Values.

Our core values shape the way we work with patients, partners, and fellow employees. And, more than anything else, they’re what set Mayfair apart. In everything we do, this is what we strive for:

EXCELLENCE

We share a commitment to high quality and excellence in all that we do. This commitment calls on all of us to achieve the very best of our capabilities and exceed our own expectations.

CURIOSITY

We innovate in everything, from services to processes. We believe meaningful change and effective problem solving come only by looking at challenges and opportunities from new angles and by exercising our creativity and curiosity.

PASSION

We show pride, enthusiasm, and dedication in everything that we do. We are committed to producing and delivering high-quality results and services. We are passionate about our industry and about our company, services, partners, and patients.

COLLABORATION

Our team is supportive of each other’s efforts; we are loyal to one another; and we care for one another both personally and professionally. We promote and support a diverse, yet unified, team. We work together to meet our common goals across Mayfair clinics, locations, and geographies. Only through collaboration on ideas, technologies, and talents can we achieve our mission and vision.

SERVICE

We take pride in delivering exceptional service every day. We listen to every request with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to go above and beyond to create memorable, personalized experiences. We take responsibility to answer our referrers’ and patients’ requests and respect their time by always responding with a sense of urgency.

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Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, we’ve been helping people f ind clarity for their health for over 100 years. At our clinics in Calgary and area, Regina, and Saskatoon, our team of radiologists, technologists, and support staff work in a truly integrated way to provide exceptional experiences for our patients. Joining our team is more than a job. It’s an investment in your future — a plan for success.

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Our people share our quest to make a difference in our patient’s lives. We’re a team of professionals, disciplined in our skills and compassionate with our patients, providing the care and attention they need. At our core, we are a trusted partner in our patients’ health care journey. Our patients, physicians, and other health care providers rely on us for quality imaging to help manage their patient’s health care decisions with certainty. But our business is about more than just imaging. It’s about building lasting relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we meet.

OUR VISION

A world in which every person has clarity about their health. We push the boundaries of what is possible and embrace change as an opportunity. We strive to be thought leaders and encourage creativity by providing a safe place for calculated risk taking. We learn from our mistakes. We share best practices across our operations and are recognized by our peers for our work. We engage the best to help propel us forward in achieving our goals.