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Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder
Angelo DE Carli1, Ferdinando Pulcinelli1, Giacomo Delle Rose2
1II Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, "Sapienza" University of Rome, S. Andrea University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Joints
|January 22, 2015
Summary
Calcific tendinitis, common in middle-aged adults, causes severe shoulder pain. While many cases resolve spontaneously, treatments vary in effectiveness, with surgery as a last resort.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Calcific tendinitis is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting adults aged 40-60, with a higher incidence in women.
- Potential contributing factors include thyroid dysfunction, metabolic diseases like diabetes, and genetic predisposition.
- Etiological hypotheses center on degenerative and multiphasic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of calcific tendinitis.
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of conventional radiography.
- To discuss treatment outcomes, including conservative measures and surgical interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on calcific tendinitis.
- Analysis of epidemiological data, etiological theories, and clinical findings.
- Evaluation of diagnostic imaging and treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- The condition is characterized by sudden, severe shoulder pain and stiffness, often mimicking a frozen shoulder.
- Conventional radiography is the primary diagnostic tool.
- Most cases resolve spontaneously, but conservative treatments show variable efficacy, and surgery is reserved for refractory cases.
Conclusions:
- Calcific tendinitis requires a comprehensive understanding of its multifactorial nature and clinical course.
- While conservative management is preferred, surgical options exist for persistent symptoms.
- A specific variant involving osteolytic changes in the greater tuberosity is associated with poorer outcomes.
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