What is Shoulder Calcific Tendonitis?

The shoulder complex is a ball and socket joint and is comprised of several groups of muscles, three bones and several soft tissue structures including ligaments, a joint capsule, soft tissue, and labrum. Each of these components work together to create a stable structure permitting the true function of shoulder movement, strength and stability. The rotator cuff and consists of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis.

Calcific tendonitis can be one of the most painful entities treated in orthopedics today. Calcific tendonitis occurs when calcium builds up within the rotator cuff tendons. This build up causes dysfunction of the fluid movement of the rotator cuff during activities/tasks. The deposit causes painful symptoms at rest and especially with movement and activity. It is unknown why or how these typically begin but are common within the 30-60 year old population. Typically this condition is non-surgical and will resolve with conservative treatments.

Symptoms

Symptoms include tenderness throughout the shoulder complex, but primarily located in the front (anterior) and outside (lateral) portion of the shoulder. Signs of this condition can be at rest or with activity. Pain will occur with activities above the shoulder including rotational pain, feelings of tightness, weakness with extended activities above the shoulder, and difficulty reaching across the chest or behind the back.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis will be determined through a thorough history and physical examination by a trained sports medicine and orthopedic shoulder specialist. Examination will consist of palpating the shoulder complex for pain. The clinician will check both active and passive range of motion. Specific manual tests will be performed by the specialist to determine if inflammation exists, the amount of weakness and other possible factors causin