ORTHOPEDICS/SHOULDER & ELBOW/SHOULDER DISORDERS
About Calcific tendonitis
When a small calcium deposits are formed within the rotator cuff tendons, the disorder occurring is called Calcific tendonitis.
These calcium deposits appears frequently at middle aged persons (in more with women than men), in addition that it is common in the right shoulder than the left.
Furthermore, patients who suffers of endocrine disorders are also more affected of this disorder, since endocrine aberrations tend to require more aggressive therapy.
Good to know that the calcium deposits are not always painful, and may resolve instinctively.
Calcific Tendonitis/Signs and Diagnosis
Calcific tendonitis enhances progressively shoulder pain increasing that may become serious.
The common symptoms of calcific tendonitis may comprise more severe shoulder pain with motion, pain with sleeping, and difficulty with arm lifting.
Note that calcific tendonitis signs are similar to rotator cuff tear signs.
A medical provider can help distinguishing the pain source.
X-rays may show the irregular calcium accumulation.
Other medical tests including ultrasound or MRI are also performed to confirm the doubtful diagnosis.
Calcific Tendonitis/Causes
Calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendon is a confusing disorder. Several different concepts have been suggested, including blood supply and the tendon aging without any supporting evidence.
The classical progression have reached three stages enhancing calcium deposits:
- Precalcification Stage
At this stage, the calcifications tend to improve cellular modifications that embrace the tissues to developing calcium deposits.
- Calcific Stage
During this stage, the calcium is excreted from cells and then coalesces into calcium deposits. In this receptive stage, the calcium deposit looks like toothpaste.
- Postcalcific Stage
It is frequently a painless stage because the calcium deposit tend to disappear.
Therapy is usually performed during the calcific stage, which is painful and resorptive.
Calcium Deposits/Therapy
Treatment of calcific tendonitis generally initiates with few simple steps suach as relaxation, ice application and medicine.
When these starting steps seem ineffective, more aggressive therapy is performed, including eventual surgical intervention.
A Final Word
Calcific tendinitis is a disorder that can cause serious shoulder pain.
Small calcium deposit within the rotator cuff tendons characterize this disorder.