What is calcific tendinitis?

Symptoms of calcific tendinitis may include pain and stiffness that often comes back but usually lasts 1 to 2 months. It is often worse at night and may make it hard to sleep.

Calcific tendinitis can usually be treated with home care. But if you're in a lot of pain, your doctor may inject steroid medicine into the area. In some cases, the doctor may suggest a treatment to break up or remove the calcium deposit. Options may include shock wave therapy or arthroscopic surgery.

To diagnose calcific tendinitis, your doctor will ask questions about your past health and your symptoms and will do a physical exam. The doctor may do an X-ray to look for calcium deposits. An ultrasound or MRI of the area may also be done.

Home care can help you manage your symptoms. For example, try to avoid activities that cause pain. Use ice or a cold pack and over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce pain and swelling. Ask your doctor about gentle range-of-motion exercises.

Calcific tendinitis starts with calcium buildup in the tendons. What causes this isn't clear. But tissue tears and natural tissue breakdown (degenerative changes) increase the chance of these deposits occurring.

Calcific tendinitis (or calcific tendinopathy) happens when calcium builds up in the tendons. It's most common in the shoulders, often in the rotator cuff. But it may affect the elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, or feet. It most often occurs in people 30 to 50 years old, especially females.