Tendinitis is one of the side effects of growing old. A variation of Tendinitis is calcifying Tendinitis, where the body secretes calcium deposits near tendons, triggering inflammation. The usual place where this condition is triggered is rotator cuff tendons, but they can happen in long tendons as well. The most common location for this condition is the shoulder joint.
To date, no definitive cause for calcific tendinitis has been identified. Several possibilities have been eliminated from the list of possible causes. It's not triggered by too much calcium in the diet; people with the condition have normal calcium levels in their blood workup. Don't limit your calcium intake if you have calcific tendinitis because you could increase your risk of osteoporosis as your body makes up the lack by scavenging it from your bones.
In some cases, it may be that a metabolic condition may cause calcific tendinitis, or that kidney problems can cause these calcium deposits; however, this is only a guess and is not a definite and diagnosed cause. In addition, dramatic injury or overuse of the rotator cuff probably does not cause calcific tendinitis come either. Overuse CAN cause rotator cuff tendinitis, which occurs without excess calcium deposits being present.
May be related to age
One statistical correlation is that calcific tendinitis rarely occurs in those under the age of 30; there are hopes that the metabolic trigger that causes the body to excrete calcium nodules can be identified; it may be possible to use these techniques to treat bone spurs as well.
Symptoms
Oftentimes, calcific tendinitis is asymptomatic, especially if the deposits themselves occur within the tendons deeply enough that they are not felt. In some cases, you may feel discomfort or pain if a large calcium deposit in your rotator cuff tendon causes so-called "shoulder impingement syndrome," where you get some pain when you raise your arm overhead.
One hazard of calcific Tendinitis is calcium crystals shedding off the deposit and cause inflammation elsewhere. This may be the first indication that a problem exists as those crystals migrate and cause pain elsewhere. These calcium deposits may be re-absorbed by the body at this time.
Sudden onset
Calcific Tendinitis has a quick trigger point, rather than small amounts of pain that gradually worsen. Most cases, when it triggers, it's because the calcium crystals have broken free; the symptoms go away within a week or two as they're re-absorbed by the body.
If you visit your doctor during a bout of acute calcific Tendinitis, it can be seen on an X-ray. Most treatments are taking over the counter inflammation relievers and icing the shoulder or joint. Performing range of motion exercises to keep the shoulder limber is also recommended; it prevents the 'locked shoulder' syndrome, and helps you avoid losing muscle mass.
If pain is particularly severe, your doctor can give you a steroid or cortisone injection into your shoulder to relieve inflammation. In some cases, the deposits can be broken apart with a hyper during meal and sucked out with a syringe. In very, very rare cases, surgery may need to be performed to remove the deposits, especially if the deposits interfere with shoulder movement. Usually, arthroscopic surgery can take care of this with minimal invasiveness.
To date, no definitive cause for calcific tendinitis has been identified. Several possibilities have been eliminated from the list of possible causes. It's not triggered by too much calcium in the diet; people with the condition have normal calcium levels in their blood workup. Don't limit your calcium intake if you have calcific tendinitis because you could increase your risk of osteoporosis as your body makes up the lack by scavenging it from your bones.
In some cases, it may be that a metabolic condition may cause calcific tendinitis, or that kidney problems can cause these calcium deposits; however, this is only a guess and is not a definite and diagnosed cause. In addition, dramatic injury or overuse of the rotator cuff probably does not cause calcific tendinitis come either. Overuse CAN cause rotator cuff tendinitis, which occurs without excess calcium deposits being present.
May be related to age
One statistical correlation is that calcific tendinitis rarely occurs in those under the age of 30; there are hopes that the metabolic trigger that causes the body to excrete calcium nodules can be identified; it may be possible to use these techniques to treat bone spurs as well.
Symptoms
Oftentimes, calcific tendinitis is asymptomatic, especially if the deposits themselves occur within the tendons deeply enough that they are not felt. In some cases, you may feel discomfort or pain if a large calcium deposit in your rotator cuff tendon causes so-called "shoulder impingement syndrome," where you get some pain when you raise your arm overhead.
One hazard of calcific Tendinitis is calcium crystals shedding off the deposit and cause inflammation elsewhere. This may be the first indication that a problem exists as those crystals migrate and cause pain elsewhere. These calcium deposits may be re-absorbed by the body at this time.
Sudden onset
Calcific Tendinitis has a quick trigger point, rather than small amounts of pain that gradually worsen. Most cases, when it triggers, it's because the calcium crystals have broken free; the symptoms go away within a week or two as they're re-absorbed by the body.
If you visit your doctor during a bout of acute calcific Tendinitis, it can be seen on an X-ray. Most treatments are taking over the counter inflammation relievers and icing the shoulder or joint. Performing range of motion exercises to keep the shoulder limber is also recommended; it prevents the 'locked shoulder' syndrome, and helps you avoid losing muscle mass.
If pain is particularly severe, your doctor can give you a steroid or cortisone injection into your shoulder to relieve inflammation. In some cases, the deposits can be broken apart with a hyper during meal and sucked out with a syringe. In very, very rare cases, surgery may need to be performed to remove the deposits, especially if the deposits interfere with shoulder movement. Usually, arthroscopic surgery can take care of this with minimal invasiveness.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson spends his time helping carpal tunnel sufferers. Please follow this link to learn more regardingcalcific tendinitis.
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