20 patients undergoing arthroscopic debridement for calcific rotator cuff tendinitis were randomized to have the deposit located either with ultrasound guidance or using conventional methods. The purpose of this study was to compare these two techniques with respect to the number of needle punctures and time required to locate the calcific deposit, as well as shoulder pain and function, over a period of 9 months. Results indicated that, although both groups yielded excellent results, the use of US guidance significantly reduced the number of needle punctures and the amount of time required to detect the calcific deposit. Shoulder pain and function were statistically similar between groups at all time points.