Calcific Tendinitis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments for Shoulder Calcium Deposits
- Calcific tendinitis can be found in adults and the elderly. The cause of this disease is the deposition of calcium crystals in a rotator cuff that may result in pain and limited movements, which may bother daily life and sleep.
- Chronic pain in a shoulder results from multiple factors combined. One of the main causes is wear and tear of tendon fibers that happen as we age or from doing the same shoulder movements repeatedly over time. This causes some cells in the tendon to degenerate and calcium to accumulate in that area. Sometimes, it occurs due to reduced blood circulation at the point where the tendon attaches to the bone, causing the body to respond abnormally and leading to shoulder calcification.
- Symptoms of calcific tendinitis include pain and limited movements in the shoulder, shoulder pain at night, swelling, inflammation, and acute pain.
Calcific tendinitis is a condition commonly found in adults and the elderly, caused by the deposition of calcium crystals in a rotator cuff. This may result in pain and restricted movements, which may bother daily life and sleep quality in patients.
If the patient does not approach the right proper treatments, it may lead to more severe complications. Understanding what causes calcific tendinitis, its symptoms, and treatment methods is therefore important for effectively managing this condition.
This article will help you understand more about frozen shoulder and pain caused by calcific tendinitis, including what lead to this disease, how it’s diagnosed and treated.
Table of Contents
ToggleCauses of Chronic Shoulder Pain Leading to Calcific Tendinitis
The formation of calcium deposits in a shoulder results from multiple factors combined. One of the main causes is wear and tear of tendon fibers that happen as we age or from doing the same shoulder movements repeatedly over time. This causes some cells in the tendon to degenerate and calcium to accumulate in that area. Sometimes, it occurs due to reduced blood circulation at the point where the tendon attaches to the bone, causing the body to respond abnormally and leading to shoulder calcification. However, when the body attempts to break down these calcium deposits in a shoulder, it may cause acute pain symptoms during that period.
Common Symptoms of Calcific Tendinitis
These following conditions are commonly found calcific tendinitis symptoms in patients:
1. Shoulder pain
The patient might start with the feeling of mild pain and gradually become more severe, especially when moving or lifting the arm. The pain often persists, which makes the patient feel uncomfortable throughout the day.
2. Limited movements
The patient may become more difficult to lift the arm or rotate the shoulder, especially for postures requiring high arm elevation such as getting dressed or reaching objects above the head.
3. Shoulder pain at night
Pain is particularly felt when lying on the affected side. The patient may need to change sleeping positions frequently to avoid pain.
4. Swelling and inflammation
Severe inflammation of calcific tendinitis can result in tenderness when touching the shoulder area or accompanying heat symptoms.
5. Acute pain
In some cases, sudden pain may occur which results from inflammation caused by calcium breakdown.
Diagnosis of Calcific Tendinitis
If a patient has severe shoulder pain or chronic symptoms that interfere with daily life, they should promptly see a doctor for proper diagnosis. The doctor will assess symptoms and identify causes to plan appropriate treatment for each case. The general diagnostic process includes:
1. Medical history and physical examination
The doctor will ask about basic information such as the nature of pain symptoms, duration since the symptoms occurred, and activities or lifestyle before pain began. After that, the doctor will examine the shoulder area to assess movement, tenderness, and other related abnormalities.
2. X-ray examination
This is an additional examination that helps visualize the overall shoulder joint, including screening for calcium deposits in shoulder tendons or around the joint. If there is an accumulation of calcium deposits, they can be clearly seen on X-ray films. It also helps assess whether there are bone fractures or other accompanying abnormalities.
3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
In cases requiring additional information, the doctor may consider using MRI, which uses electromagnetic waves to visualize clearer details of calcium deposit size and location, muscles, tendons, and shoulder joints. This is especially useful if tendon tears or other complications that cannot be seen on X-ray are suspected.
Calcific Tendinitis Treatment Methods
Treatments for calcific tendinitis can be divided into two main approaches: non-surgical treatments and surgical treatments. Doctors will consider the appropriate method based on symptoms, severity, and each patient’s physical condition.
1. Non-surgical treatment methods
1. Pain and inflammation relief medication
During the stage which pain exists, the doctor often prescribes painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or muscle relaxants to help reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation in tendons. Topical medications may also be applied to help relax muscles and reduce stiffness around the shoulder.
2. Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation medicine is another option that helps the shoulder joint regain better mobility, especially during the stage when symptoms begin to be alleviated. Physiotherapy includes shoulder ultrasound therapy, gentle joint mobilization, or exercises to strengthen muscles around the shoulder.
3. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy: ESWT
This is another method that helps stimulate the body of calcific tendinitis patients to absorb or break down accumulated calcium deposits in shoulder. It emits high-energy shock waves toward the area where calcium deposits are attached to tendons. In some cases, the shattered calcium deposits can be naturally absorbed back into the body. This is suitable for those who do not respond to medication and physiotherapy and do not yet want surgery. Results may vary among individual cases.
2. Surgical treatment methods
If a patient does not get better after non-surgical approaches, or if calcium deposits are found to be large, compressing or damaging tendons, the doctors may recommend calcium deposit shoulder surgery.
Arthroscopic Surgery
This minimally invasive surgery uses a small device with a camera to visualize calcium deposits in the shoulder. By inserting it into the shoulder joint, the doctor can precisely remove accumulated calcium deposits while examining damages of surrounding tendons. If tears are found, the device is able to repair those tendons simultaneously. The perks of this type of surgery include small incisions, quicker recovery, and reduced risk of complications.
What’s Better to Treat Calcific Tendinitis at kdms Hospital?
If you believe you have pain and symptoms from calcium deposits in a shoulder (calcific tendinitis), receiving care from a team of specialized doctors at a well-equipped hospital is extremely important. In Bangkok, Thailand, kdms Hospital is one of the outstanding choices for the following reasons:
Medical care by specialized orthopedic professionals
The medical team at kdms Hospital Bangkok has specialized expertise in joint, muscle, and rheumatic diseases. They have also gained direct experience in treating calcium deposits in the shoulder.
Accurate diagnosis with advanced technology
kdms Hospital provides diagnosis using X-ray and MRI systems that help visualize details of calcium deposits in the shoulder and tendon damages clearly, enabling precise treatment planning.
Comprehensive treatment options
Whether using medication, physiotherapy, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), or even arthroscopic surgery, the medical team will carefully select the most appropriate method for each patient.
Continuous and close care
All patients will receive regular symptom monitoring, adjustment of treatment plans to suit recovery at each stage, along with guidance for returning to normal shoulder use with confidence.
Multidisciplinary care
There is coordination between specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation physicians, and rheumatologists to provide comprehensive care for calcific tendinitis patients, covering both treatment and rehabilitation.
In summary
If you have persistent shoulder pain for an extended period of time that begins to impact your daily life, do not overlook it. It may be a sign of calcific tendinitis caused by an accumulation of calcium deposits in the shoulder’s rotator cuff. This is often related to tendon degeneration or chronic inflammation at muscle attachment points.
Calcific tendinitis treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, ranging from medication and physiotherapy to extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ECSW). In some cases, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary. Therefore, early doctor consultation and proper shoulder care will help reduce risks and effectively prevent chronic symptoms.
Q&A
In general, this condition is not life-threatening, but it can significantly impact daily life. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, it may cause chronic pain, difficulty lifting the arm, or risk of developing frozen shoulder. Early doctor consultation will help provide appropriate treatments and reduce the chance of complications.
In some cases, this condition can go away naturally, especially when the body gradually reabsorbs calcium crystals. However, patients often experience severe pain that bothers daily life and may need treatment during this process to relieve the symptoms. If the patient does not feel better or there are large crystals of calcium deposits in the shoulder, consult a doctor to plan appropriate treatment.
An article by Pongtep Na Nakorn, M.D., Experienced Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgeons
Consult symptoms before scheduling an appointment.
history 
appointment 
305,500 Baht 
End 31/12/2026 
