Learn about the symptoms, causes, self-check and treatment of calcific tendinitis.
The exact cause is unknown, but calcium deposits are thought to form
because of overuse of the shoulder, degenerative changes in the tendon,
reduced blood supply and the process of calcium removal.
The deposits vary widely in size, from 1 to 3 mm in diameter, and one or several
may form at once. The pain is often so severe that patients cannot sleep at night,
and many cases are discovered after a visit to the emergency room.
01
Intense pain when raising or rotating the arm
02
Pain that varies widely, from mild discomfort to sudden severe pain
03
Difficulty with everyday movements that use the shoulder, such as dressing or brushing your hair
04
Shoulder pain without any particular injury
05
Pain so severe that it prevents a good night's sleep
Degenerative changes in the tendons due to aging
Poor blood circulation caused by overuse of the shoulder
Tendon cells change into cartilage cells and calcium is deposited
I have difficulty rotating my arm.
The pain gets worse at night and disturbs my sleep.
The pain starts at the front of my shoulder and spreads to my neck or arm.
It hurts when I press below the acromion (the bony tip of the shoulder).
Over time, the pain gets worse and the area swells.
In most cases, the pain is so severe that patients cannot sleep,
and their quality of life drops sharply.
It can be treated with pain-relief treatment and rehabilitation exercise,
and it can be diagnosed with a simple X-ray, so if you notice symptoms,
it is best to see a doctor.
TREATMENT
It is important to relieve the initial pain with anti-inflammatory painkillers, muscle relaxants or injections, so that the patient can carry out exercise therapy on their own. Most cases improve with non-surgical treatment, but in rare cases where symptoms last too long, surgery may be performed.
Pain can usually be relieved rapidly with a treatment of about 10 minutes,
and rehabilitation to relax the muscles around the joint and strengthen them is very effective.
Step 1
In most cases, 2–3 weeks of non-surgical treatment such as medication and physical therapy brings improvement. If not, treatment moves on to injection therapy and manual therapy.
Step 2
Surgery is the last resort. Before considering surgery, we provide customized procedures based on each patient's condition and circumstances.
Step 3
Surgery may be considered for patients whose pain persists despite sufficient treatment or who need emergency care. The surgical approach and expected outcome are decided in consultation with a specialist.
In most cases, 2–3 weeks of non-surgical treatment such as medication, physical therapy and pain injections brings improvement.
If not, treatment moves on to injection therapy and manual therapy.
[Medication]
Anti-inflammatory painkillers and muscle relaxants relieve pain and make it easier to continue physical therapy.
[Injection Therapy]
Steroid medication or trigger point injections (TPI) are injected into the areas of muscle causing pain to relax the contracted muscles. This treatment can be tried in the early stages.
[Physical Therapy]
Uses heat, air, light, electricity, ultrasound and other methods to restore function around the painful area and support rehabilitation.
[Manual Therapy]
A form of physical therapy performed by hand by a specially trained manual therapist, based on knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
[Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)]
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy treats musculoskeletal pain from outside the body using a device that generates shockwaves.
Surgery is the last resort. Before considering surgery,
we provide customized procedures based on each patient's condition and circumstances.
[Prolotherapy]
A high-concentration dextrose solution, harmless to the body, is injected directly into weakened ligaments or tendons.
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A non-surgical treatment that combines prolotherapy (proliferation therapy) with FIMS (Functional Intramuscular Stimulation).
Learn MoreSurgery may be considered for patients whose pain persists despite sufficient treatment or who need emergency care.
The surgical approach and expected outcome are decided in consultation with a specialist.
[Shoulder Arthroscopy]
Through minimal incisions of less than 1 cm, an arthroscopic camera and surgical instruments are inserted into the joint to diagnose and treat the condition.
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