Calcific tendinitis is a condition that causes sharp pain a joint, when calcium deposits form around the tendons and then break free, triggering inflammation. It usually hits the rotator cuff and can affect either or both shoulders.
The actual cause of calcific Tendinitis is still unknown. Several things have been ruled out as causes. Excess calcium in the diet has been ruled out; people who develop it do not have elevated calcium levels in their blood. If you are diagnosed with this condition, do not limit your calcium; that can put you at a risk for osteoporosis as your body cannibalizes the bones to make up the lack.
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
Some have speculated that calcific tendinitis does have some increased propensity to occur as we age, since most people under the age of 30 do not have calcium deposits in their tendons.
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.
One hazard of calcific Tendinitis is calcium crystals shedding off the deposit and cause inflammation elsewhere. This may be the first indication that a problem exists as those crystals migrate and cause pain elsewhere. These calcium deposits may be re-absorbed by the body at this time.
Sudden onset
Usually, those who experience calcific tendinitis have pain symptoms that happen suddenly, not over a long period of time. Usually, the pain symptoms themselves resolved within a week or two without incident.
If you visit your doctor during a bout of acute calcific Tendinitis, it can be seen on an X-ray. Most treatments are taking over the counter inflammation relievers and icing the shoulder or joint. Performing range of motion exercises to keep the shoulder limber is also recommended; it prevents the 'locked shoulder' syndrome, and helps you avoid losing muscle mass.
In the event of particularly severe pain, your doctor may give you a steroid or cortisone injection to relieve inflammation. For extreme cases, the deposits may be broken down with ultrasound or a hypodermic needle and extracted with a syringe. It's rare, but on some occasions, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary.
The actual cause of calcific Tendinitis is still unknown. Several things have been ruled out as causes. Excess calcium in the diet has been ruled out; people who develop it do not have elevated calcium levels in their blood. If you are diagnosed with this condition, do not limit your calcium; that can put you at a risk for osteoporosis as your body cannibalizes the bones to make up the lack.
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
Some have speculated that calcific tendinitis does have some increased propensity to occur as we age, since most people under the age of 30 do not have calcium deposits in their tendons.
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.
One hazard of calcific Tendinitis is calcium crystals shedding off the deposit and cause inflammation elsewhere. This may be the first indication that a problem exists as those crystals migrate and cause pain elsewhere. These calcium deposits may be re-absorbed by the body at this time.
Sudden onset
Usually, those who experience calcific tendinitis have pain symptoms that happen suddenly, not over a long period of time. Usually, the pain symptoms themselves resolved within a week or two without incident.
If you visit your doctor during a bout of acute calcific Tendinitis, it can be seen on an X-ray. Most treatments are taking over the counter inflammation relievers and icing the shoulder or joint. Performing range of motion exercises to keep the shoulder limber is also recommended; it prevents the 'locked shoulder' syndrome, and helps you avoid losing muscle mass.
In the event of particularly severe pain, your doctor may give you a steroid or cortisone injection to relieve inflammation. For extreme cases, the deposits may be broken down with ultrasound or a hypodermic needle and extracted with a syringe. It's rare, but on some occasions, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson has spent years helping carpal tunnel sufferers. You can follow this link to learn more aboutcalcific tendinitis.
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