Calcific tendinitis

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.

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.

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.

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.

If your doctor suggests breaking up or removing the calcium deposit, you have a few options:

• A specialist can numb the area and use ultrasound imaging to guide needles to the deposit. The deposit is loosened, and most of it is sucked out with the needle. Your body may absorb some of the rest of the calcium.
• Shock wave therapy can be done. The doctor uses a device to focus sound waves on the calcium deposit. No anesthesia or incisions are needed. The sound waves travel through your skin to the calcium deposit and break it up. Your body may then absorb some of the calcium.
• The calcium deposits can be removed with an arthroscopic surgery called debridement (say "dih-BREED-munt").

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.