Calcific tendonitis occurs when hard calcium deposits form within the soft tendon. When the condition develops in the tendons of the shoulder, it can cause a fair amount of discomfort and lead to mobility issues. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the causes, symptoms and treatment options of calcific tendonitis.
Causes And Symptoms Of Calcific Tendonitis
Your rotator cuff is made up of several tendons that connect the muscles around your shoulder to the humerus. Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder typically develops in the tendons of the rotator cuff, most commonly on a tendon called the supraspinatus tendon. When the conditions sets in, it usually takes one of two forms:
- Degenerative Calcification – Degenerative calcification is oftentimes fueled by natural wear and tear on the tendon. Heavy shoulder use or years of repetitive shoulder use can lead to gradual fraying of the tendon fibers, and calcium deposits can form as a byproduct of your body’s attempt to repair the tendon.
- Reactive Calcification – Less is known about the reactive form of calcification, but it’s not believed to be related to degeneration. This version is more common in younger audiences compared to the degenerative form, and it tends to develop in three stages. The pre-calcific stage leads to tendon changes that make it more susceptible to calcium deposit formation, and in the calcific stage, calcium deposits begin to form in the tendon before being reabsorbed by the body. This second stage is usually the most uncomfortable, and discomfort fades once you reach the post-calcific stage, where the tendon is healed and modeled with new tissue.
Wear and tear play a big role in the onset of degenerative calcific, but not much is known about the true underlying cause of calcific tendonitis. Some medical experts believe that oxygen deprivation to the tendon increases your risk of calcium deposit formation, while others feel that repetitive tendon stress can lead to their onset. Either way, a direct cause is not known.
Symptoms of calcific tendonitis include:
- Shoulder pain without acute injury
- Worsening pain with movement
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
- Tenderness
- Weakness
Diagnosing And Treating Calcific Tendonitis
If you are dealing with any of the above symptoms, consider setting up an appointment with your primary care physician or a shoulder specialist like Dr. Holloway. Your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history and by conducting a physical examination. They may also manipulate the shoulder or have you perform some simple maneuvers to see how your shoulder responds to these motions.
Because a number of different shoulder issues present with similar symptoms, your doctor may wish to confirm their suspicions with the help of an X-ray. Calcium deposits will be visible on an X-ray, so this can be an effective imaging technique to spot signs of deposits.
If calcific tendonitis is confirmed, your doctor will begin by walking you through a treatment plan, which will likely begin with conservative treatment. Most cases of calcific tendonitis resolve by following a conservative care strategy, but a shoulder arthroscopy may be recommended in the unlikely event that non-operative methods fail to provide relief. Most conservative plans will involve a combination of the following techniques:
- Rest
- Activity Avoidance/Modification
- Heat/Ice
- Physical Therapy
- Corticosteroid Injections
As we mentioned above, a minimally invasive procedure can also help to remove the deposits, but because surgery carries some additional risks, doctors will typically do all they can to avoid surgically removing the deposits. Your surgeon can walk you through the shoulder arthroscopy process should your calcific tendonitis reach this stage.
For more information about calcific tendonitis or treating similar shoulder issues, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
