What is calcific tendinitis?

Calcific tendinitis is a condition in which calcium deposits form in the shoulder tendons, causing inflammation that hardens like stone and produces severe pain. The cause has not been clearly identified, but it is thought that a problem in the excretion of calcium leads to calcium being deposited in the shoulder ligaments. It occurs mainly in the shoulder tendons, but it can also arise in other joints such as the elbow, wrist and hip joint, so care is needed.

Symptoms

• 1
• Patients usually report severe pain at night and may be unable to sleep.
• 2
• Very severe, stabbing pain occurs.
• 3
• Pain occurs regardless of any particular movement.

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Symptoms of calcific tendinitis by stage

Calcific tendinitis can be divided into three stages.

Stage 1 Formative phase

Calcium crystals form within the fibrocartilage matrix, the stage just before calcification.
There is no pain, and small calcium deposits form only on the surface of the tendon. This stage can continue without symptoms for years.

Stage 2: Resorptive stage

Severe pain occurs as the calcium deposit is absorbed; the pain may last for 1-2 weeks, or mild pain may continue for 3-8 weeks.

Stage: late calcification

After the calcium deposits are resorbed, the late calcific stage lasts more than 3 months. A dull discomfort may persist during this time.

As the calcium deposit breaks down, the body treats it as a foreign body and dissolves it, and in this process the subacromial bursa An inflammatory response is triggered, causing severe pain.