Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: diagnosis and simple, effective treatment.

Abstract

Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder causes pain that is not activity dependent and often severe. Because its cause is uncertain and because calcium deposits can also be asymptomatic, diagnosis is made primarily by history and physical examination in conjunction with radiographs. Tenderness over the greater tuberosity generally differentiates calcific tendinitis from other conditions. For both the subacute and acute forms, needling, or using a hypodermic needle to disrupt the deposits, followed by corticosteroid injection into the subacromial space, can be diagnostic and therapeutic. If limitation of motion and weakness persist after this treatment, impingement syndrome or adhesive capsulitis may be the cause.