What is calcific tendonitis?

Calcific tendonitis is a painful condition in which calcium is deposited in the rotator cuff tendons and then broken down causing shoulder pain. In this video Consultant Shoulder Surgeon Mr. Nick Ferran explains what calcific tendonitis is.

If you have any specific queries, write in the comments section below. Get all your queries answered by Mr Nick Ferran.

-------------------------------------------------------------

[Noone]

If you’re in the worst pain and crying and wondering if this will ever end, I’ve been there.

I had pain and frozen shoulder issues for years, but a year ago the pain began to intensify. I went to the doctor and without any exam I was sent directly to physical therapy. I spent months in pain doing the PT before a more experienced physical therapist told me to get an MRI. There I found I had bilateral calcific tendonitis, big masses in both shoulders.
I read in an old Chinese medicine book that homogenized milk caused it so I decided to quit dairy. I also read that dehydration can cause it, so I drank 60oz of wanted per day. To lower inflammation, I took Motrin around the clock and it helped a little. I still woke from pain every 2 hours. Ice packs helped.

I went to an orthopedic doctor and got an ultrasound-guided cortisone shot in each shoulder (my PT advised me to request the ultrasound).

I had relief from the intensity of the pain and gained some mobility quickly. Then after a few weeks I had sever pain again in one shoulder and my orthopedic doctor recommended that I have surgery to remove it because the masses were so large. I did another round of shots while I waited for surgery.

I scheduled surgery, I prayed that I wouldn’t need it. I went back for an x-ray and after 2-3 months, the calcific deposited were almost all gone. My doctor was amazed! After the 3rd shot within 4 months, one shoulder is back to normal and the other is not too far behind. There is nothing but a dusting left of calcium, the other is clear.

I hope this helps you in your journey, don’t give up hope.

[jojivarghese]

Could you pls explain the reasons behind it ?

[TM-pcre]

If calcium tendonitis developes and they say the "reabsorption phase" is painful, then I assume one that happens pain subsides. If it doesn't you need your bone scrapped. Shrug. Had cortisone and improvement but still painful with exercise months later

[samanthadutoit]

After 2 years of suffering up and down to Drs my doctor finally sent me for a scan and boom calcification! I hope to God my Medical will cover. I am tired of this pain a discomfort its driving me up the wall!!

[HB-yqgy]

I'm 59 y/o a gym rat. I was diagnosed with xray with calcificied tendonitis in the rotator cuff tendons. I have full mobility hurts doing push ups & dead hang. I had 1 shot of cordizone helped alittle. Does drinking too much caffeine cause more calcification? Also is platelet rich plasma recommended ?

[shelleylopresti]

I did the cortisone shot under ultrasound, been 4 months since THAT morning! I have surgery in 2 days.

[micheledash]

Waking up screaming. Woke the neighbours. Got on right side now on the left as well. Exercise recommended with stretch bands. Makes it worse. Type 8 hours a day as a Transcriptionist. Also have trigger fingers. Diabetes and thyroid problems implicated? Have both.

[Mommahen]

All I did was turn from front car seat to the back..to lift my purse..I thought I was going to pass out. Then over next couple days..very little sleep and the inability to go to gym, rest, get out of the bathtub by myself, needing help w my clothes..depressed me to the point...I had my daughter drive me to the ER.. That is where they diagnosed me with calcific tendinitis..was happy to have a diagnosis..worried that they couldn't do much. The toradol injection helped some and they immobilized my shoulder with sling. The appt with the orthopedic specialist is in a week.

[legoDragonfly-]

Strange question but can the ACJ area issues with twnsons etc cause msucles to feel tight and the in the palm side of the thumb?
Ive been having qrm issuea for 9 yrs (im.having acj excision and something that starts with subcro....)
In the last 6 months the fatty bit of thumb aches so badly and i can start to see the stringy things (think tendons or ligaments) stretching under the skin so tight but my good arm doesn't.
So strange 😂

[derbharat]

Calcification happened any part of body, is possible