Clinical features in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT) is a common shoulder condition.
• Accurate clinical diagnosis can be challenging, often relying on imaging.
• Identifying predictive clinical criteria is essential for early detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the clinical features of patients with rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy.
• To identify and map the clinical criteria for RCCT.
• To enable hypothesis of RCCT prior to imaging investigations.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was conducted, consulting four databases up to January 2023.
• Results were reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute manual.
• No time or geographical restrictions were applied.

Main Results:

• 50 studies met inclusion criteria from 851 identified records.
• Common symptoms include nightly, acute, severe, and spontaneous shoulder pain, often unilateral.
• Affected individuals were predominantly women aged 30-60, with range of motion deficits and comorbidities like diabetes and thyroid disorders.

Conclusions:

• Key clinical features predictive of RCCT were identified.
• These criteria can assist clinicians in suspecting RCCT early and with certainty.
• Prompt diagnosis facilitates appropriate management pathways for rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy.