Is Your Shoulder Pain More Than Just Soreness? Here’s Why You Should Be Worried About Calcific Tendinitis

The shoulder is one of the most vulnerable areas to injury during exercise. Activities requiring hand strength often stress the entire arm, including the shoulder, one of the most frequently used joints. Shoulder pain after exercise could simply be muscle soreness, but if it persists, you might need to suspect calcific tendinitis. Let’s delve into calcific tendinitis, especially for those who exercise regularly and need to be cautious.

Understanding Calcific Tendinitis

Calcific tendinitis occurs when calcium builds up in the muscles or tendons around your shoulder joint. This calcium accumulation leads to calcification, causing symptoms as deposits form. It’s when calcium salts abnormally accumulate in your body’s soft tissues, making them harder. While it can happen in any tendon, it’s most common in the supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder.

What Causes Calcific Tendinitis?

Calcific tendinitis primarily affects individuals over 30, with men more frequently affected than women. While the exact triggers aren’t fully understood, experts believe overuse of the shoulder and reduced blood flow to the area may play a role. Interestingly, the type of calcific tendinitis can vary with age—those under 45 often experience acute cases, while the over-50 crowd tends to develop chronic forms.

Symptoms: Intense Pain

The primary symptom of calcific tendinitis is pain. Although there are cases without pain or with pain caused by other conditions, most patients experience sudden, sharp pain. If the pain starts abruptly, radiates from the front of the shoulder to the arm or neck, makes lifting the arm difficult, or persists even at rest, calcific tendinitis should be considered.

Diagnosing the Calcium Culprit

Calcific tendinitis cannot be diagnosed by observing or palpating the painful area. X-rays are necessary to confirm the condition. Diagnosis is made by examining the shoulder area on X-rays, where calcified tissue appears white. Additional imaging tests, such as MRIs, may be conducted to rule out other associated conditions or for surgical planning.

Tackling Calcific Tendinitis

Treatment for calcific tendinitis focuses on eliminating stubborn calcium buildup. Doctors might use a syringe to remove it early when the calcium is still soft. Other options include extracorporeal shock wave therapy to break down deposits and ease pain or physical and manual therapies to relax and strengthen surrounding tissues. For tough cases with large, hard deposits, arthroscopic surgery might be necessary to remove the calcium.

A Recurring Condition

Even with surgical treatment, calcific tendinitis is prone to recurrence. Calcium deposits can reappear in the same area because the condition primarily affects degenerated tendons. Complete treatment requires removing the calcium and regenerating and strengthening the shoulder tendons.

Differences from Frozen Shoulder

Calcific tendinitis shares similarities with frozen shoulder pain in that it causes shoulder pain. Frozen shoulder, known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the joint capsule inflames and adheres. Repeated pain from calcific tendinitis can lead to a frozen shoulder, where the shoulder gradually stiffens. Once a frozen shoulder develops, it can last for several months, making early intervention essential.

A Growing Number of Cases

While calcific tendinitis typically affects those in their 40s and beyond, particularly homemakers and office workers, it’s not exclusive to this group. With the recent fitness boom, younger exercise enthusiasts are increasingly at risk. Health insurance data shows a whopping 76% increase in calcific tendinitis cases over the past decade.

How to Prevent Calcific Tendinitis

Lifestyle modifications can help manage and prevent calcific tendinitis. Most importantly, avoid overusing your shoulders. Excessive use of shoulder muscles can lead to fatigue, reduced flexibility, and unnecessary joint stress. However, complete exercise avoidance is not advisable, as lack of activity can also contribute to the condition. Regular stretching to improve circulation is essential for prevention.

The Importance of Quitting Smoking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Calcific tendinitis causes pain due to calcium buildup irritating tendons and surrounding muscles, making it fundamentally an inflammatory condition. Alcohol and smoking exacerbate inflammation, so reducing or eliminating these habits is crucial if calcific tendinitis is suspected. Smoking, in particular, reduces oxygen saturation in the body, impairing blood circulation and increasing the risk of calcific tendinitis.