Calcifying Tendinitis of the Shoulder

Calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder is a condition that causes the tendon in the shoulder to form calcium deposits. These deposits can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. No one knows exactly what causes calcifying tendonitis, although older people are more likely to develop the condition than younger people.

Symptoms

• Calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder mimics the symptoms of other types of tendonitis. A person will experience pain in the shoulder, particularly when moving the arm, but also when applying pressure to the shoulder. The surface of the skin above the affected tendon will sometimes appear pink or red and may feel warm to the touch. Calcifying tendonitis tends to be more painful over time, particularly when the body is reabsorbing the calcium deposits.

Identification

• The only way to confirm whether shoulder pain is related to calcifying tendonitis is through X-rays that show the calcium deposits on the shoulder tendon. The condition can be undiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to other types of tendonitis. However, calcifying tendonitis can appear without the conditions that create other types of tendonitis, such as repetitive motion or shoulder injury. If pain in the shoulder is present without an underlying cause, your doctor may order X-rays to confirm whether or not it is calcifying tendonitis.

Time Frame

• Calcifying tendonitis most often appears in people over 40, although it can strike younger people as well. The process can start with a small tear or damaged part of the tendon, which the body attempts to repair naturally. During the repair process, calcium starts to build up at the damaged location, forming a calcium deposit. Eventually, the body starts to reabsorb the calcium deposit until it disappears.

Treatment

• Treatment usually is limited to the lessening of the pain associated with calcifying tendonitis. This may include over-the-counter medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, but can also include stronger painkillers requiring a prescription. In most cases, this is sufficient while a person waits for the calcium deposits to disappear on their own. However, sometimes a particularly large deposit will take too long to disappear on its own. In those cases, a doctor may try breaking up the calcium deposit into smaller pieces by injecting needles into the deposit. Surgery is an option, but it is normally restricted to severe cases because the location of the shoulder tendon makes it a very complicated procedure.

Prevention

• Because the causes of calcifying tendonitis are unknown, there is little to be done to prevent the condition. Maintaining good overall health and visiting a doctor at the first signs of shoulder pain is the best way to catch calcifying tendonitis early and receive treatment to reduce the pain associated with this condition.