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Calcific Tendinitis: Definition and Ways of Treating

Also known as “calcified tendinitis” or “calcifying tendinitis,” calcific tendinitis happens when calcium deposits cause tendons to become inflamed. Most often, rotator cuff tendons are the target, and can occur in either or both shoulders.

No one really knows what causes calcific tendinitis, but there are some pretty clear indicators as to what does NOT cause it. Having too much calcium in the diet does not cause it, because those who are diagnosed with calcific tendinitis usually have normal calcium levels in their blood. Therefore, it is NOT advised that you limit calcium in your diet if you are diagnosed with this condition, because you could put yourself at risk for osteoporosis; if you get too little calcium in your diet, your body will simply take it from your bones.

In some cases, it may be that a metabolic condition may cause calcific tendinitis, or that kidney problems can cause these calcium deposits; however, this is only a guess and is not a definite and diagnosed cause. In addition, dramatic injury or overuse of the rotator cuff probably does not cause calcific tendinitis come either. Overuse CAN cause rotator cuff tendinitis, which occurs without excess calcium deposits being present.

May be related to age

One statistical correlation is that calcific tendinitis rarely occurs in those under the age of 30; there are hopes that the metabolic trigger that causes the body to excrete calcium nodules can be identified; it may be possible to use these techniques to treat bone spurs as well.

Symptoms

The usual set of symptoms for calcific Tendinitis is a sharp, burning pain when a stiff shoulder is moved; it’s often described as feeling like gravel is under the shoulder blade, usually when you raise your arm of the shoulder. Sometimes it’s a little subtler than that if the calcium crystallization happens deeper in the tissue, where it can’t be felt through the skin.

Where most people notice calcific tendinitis is when the calcium crystals are shed from the deposits, which causes acute inflammation and pain; this is also when the calcium nodules start to break up and get reabsorbed by the body.

Sudden onset

Calcific Tendinitis has a quick trigger point, rather than small amounts of pain that gradually worsen. Most cases, when it triggers, it’s because the calcium crystals have broken free; the symptoms go away within a week or two as they’re re-absorbed by the body.

Sometimes, your doctor will put you in for an X-ray to find out what’s wrong, and the calcium deposit will show up just fine. Most of the recommended treatments are to take over the counter pain medications and doing range of motion therapy exercises to keep your joint limber, followed by icing it down to reduce swelling and inflammation.

For particularly severe pain, your doctor can give you a steroid or cortisone injection; in extreme cases, arthroscopic surgery can be recommended to break up the calcium nodule and extract it with a syringe.

Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for carpal tunnel sufferers. Please click here to learn more regardingcalcific tendinitis.