Calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tearing: A clinical and radiographic study

Calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tearing are among the most common tearing abnormalities of the rotator cuff. They are considered to be two different disease entities, but the two conditions can coexist. This study identifies the clinical and radiologic features of calcifying tendinitis in Oriental people and defines its relationship to rotator cuff tearing. From October 1989 through August 1992, there were 82 patients with calcifying tendinitis suffering from persistent shoulder pain, who received arthrographic examination. Most of the calcific depositions were located in the supraspinatus (70.7%) and infraspinatus (26.8%) tendons, and most (73.2%) were found in the critical zone. Twenty-three (28%) had arthrogrophic evidence of rotator cuff tearing, and five were confirmed by surgery. Most of the patients (77.9%) in the nontear group had an ill-defined texture, whereas in the tear group almost one half had a well-defined texture (43.5% vs 56.5%). The texture, shape of the calcific deposits, and the integrity of the rotator cuff were significantly related to the size of the calcific deposit. The presence of a calcium deposit does not rule out the possibility of a coexisting rotator cuff tear. The sex and age distribution of calcifying tendinitis in Oriental people is differnt from information reported in the Western literature.