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Do you have calcium deposits in your shoulders? You can't ignore these signs!
In modern life, many people suffer from shoulder discomfort due to long periods of sitting work and lack of exercise. This can be caused by calcium deposits in the tendons of the shoulder, also known as calcific tendinitis. This condition most commonly occurs in the rotator cuff tendon of the shoulder, but it is not easy to detect early.
Calcific tendinitis is caused by the buildup of calcium and phosphate crystals in the tendon and 80% of patients experience symptoms including chronic pain in the shoulder and discomfort that worsens at night.
Symptoms and manifestations
According to studies, up to 20% of people with calcified tendons do not experience symptoms. For those who do have symptoms, the pain can change over the course of the disease:
- Formation stage: During this period, calcium deposits are initially formed. Patients may not feel obvious pain, but may feel intermittent pain when flexing their shoulders forward.
- Absorption phase: The calcium deposits begin to break down and patients often experience severe acute pain, especially at night.
- Late stage: Over time, the calcium deposits will be replaced by new tissue and the pain may be alleviated.
Causes
The pathophysiology of calcific tendinitis is related to the myxonemal degeneration of the tendon, which is a chondrogenic remodeling by fibroblasts. Some internal factors, such as gender, age and hormones, may affect the development of the disease. It usually occurs in adults aged 30 to 50 years old, and the incidence rate in women is about twice that in men.
Studies have shown that risk factors such as hormonal imbalance, autoimmune disease, and metabolic disease may increase the incidence of calcific tendinitis.
How to diagnose
The diagnosis of calcific tendinitis relies mainly on clinical examination and X-ray examination. X-ray images can show the size and location of calcium deposits, which may vary in appearance at different stages:
- Formation stage: shows calcium deposits of uniform density and clear edges.
- Absorption phase: calcium deposits showing blurred and unclear edges.
Treatment methods
Once diagnosed, the first line of treatment for calcific tendinitis is usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, as well as rest and physical therapy. Local steroid injections are sometimes considered to address this problem. If pain persists, surgical procedures such as ultrasound-guided needling may be used to remove or dissolve the calcium deposits.
Ultrasound therapy is also commonly used to promote healing; the energy levels and duration used in therapy are not standardized, but most studies report positive effects.
Considerations for surgery
If symptoms do not resolve after six months of conservative treatment, surgery may be considered. The surgical method is minimally invasive and mainly involves arthroscopic removal of calcifications. The success rate of surgery is as high as 90%, but it should be noted that 10% of patients may need another surgery.
Rehabilitation and Prognosis
For most people with calcific tendinitis, recovery is almost complete with time and treatment. Long-term follow-up studies have also shown that patients continue to recover regardless of whether they receive treatment or not.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the health of your shoulders. Regular checks and paying attention to signs can help us take better care of our bodies. Have you also noticed any abnormalities in your shoulders, or have you had similar experiences?
