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Why are women more likely to suffer from calcific tendinitis? Uncovering the mystery of gender differences!
Calcific tendinitis is a common condition that occurs when calcium phosphate is deposited in the tendon, causing pain and discomfort. The condition is most common in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder, and reports that about 80 percent of patients experience symptoms, including chronic pain with certain shoulder movements or acute, severe pain that worsens at night. Although it is most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50, interestingly, calcific tendinitis is twice as common in women as in men.
Calcific tendonitis has nothing to do with exercise, but there is a significant difference in gender, especially in female patients.
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms of calcific tendonitis vary with the different stages of the disease. During the developmental stages, patients usually experience no obvious symptoms; however, when calcium is deposited in the limb, some patients may experience intermittent pain with specific shoulder movements. As the condition enters the resorption phase, many patients experience severe acute pain, especially at night. At this time, patients often internally rotate the injured shoulder to relieve pain, and may find it difficult to sleep on the shoulder, and may even experience local heat, redness, and swelling.
Causes and pathophysiology of disease
The pathological basis of calcific tendonitis is mucinous degeneration of the tendon, in which fibroblasts (fibroblasts) behave like chondrocytes, leading to the deposition of calcium into the soft tissue. The most common sites of calcium deposits are some of the tendons in the shoulder, especially the superior rotator tendons. The formation of calcification can generally be divided into three stages: the precalcification stage, the calcification stage (i.e., the formation and resorption stages), and the postcalcification stage.
Diagnosis and imaging examination
The diagnosis of calcific tendonitis mainly relies on physical examination and X-ray examination. During the formation stage, X-ray images usually show calcium deposited impurities with a uniform density. As the disease enters the resorption phase, these deposits appear cloud-like with blurred edges. Ultrasound examination can also be used to locate and evaluate calcium deposits, and biological examination can help patients understand their condition.
Treatment options
The first treatment for calcific tendonitis is usually nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and rest the joint. For patients whose pain is difficult to control, local steroid injections may be performed. Compared with long-term treatment with Western medicine, certain non-invasive methods, such as ultrasound-guided acupuncture and extracorporeal shock wave therapy, are also gradually being promoted clinically.
Surgical intervention
When six months of conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms, surgery becomes the final option. The surgery is mostly performed arthroscopically and improves function by removing calcium deposits. The success rate of surgery is usually around 90%, but postoperative recovery and possible need for reoperation still need to be considered.
Discussion on epidemiology and gender differences
Calcific tendonitis generally occurs in adults between the ages of 30 and 50, and is relatively rare in people over the age of 70. Surprisingly, this condition occurs more frequently in women than men, which may be related to a variety of factors, including hormone levels, health conditions, and metabolic abnormalities. In addition, certain occupations and repetitive movements have not been shown to significantly increase the risk of calcific tendinitis, prompting further research and discussion.
As research into calcific tendonitis continues, experts are rethinking the role of gender in the condition and exploring underlying biological mechanisms.
With the recurrence of calcific tendonitis and its impact on life, patients have no shortage of hope for a safe return to daily life through effective treatment. It is undeniable that when women face this seemingly simple but complex health challenge, do they need more attention and support to some extent?
