Calcific Tendinitis in Shoulder

[Tania64]

Okay, there are obviously lots of us out there with this horrible pain from Calcific Tendinitis.  I have twice been incapacitated for over a week, unable to sit, stand, lie, sleep etc, with excruciating pain.  What I want is to have some updates of (aside from surgery) how others help themselves.  I often take a magnesium/calcium supplement, but wonder if that actually does help.  I go out into the garden for a day, digging, lifting etc, and find it all flares up and is painful (especially at night while trying to move).  I am 46 years young, and really want to keep moving.  Not fun when this pain can be extremely excruciating.  

[njm05]

I have had calcific tendinitis for the last few months now in my right shoulder. I had my shoulder x-rayed and results showed I have large calcific deposits on the supraspinatus tendon. I also have a large calcium deposit adjacent to the AC joint. My GP is referring me to an Orthopaedic specialist. I find it can be quite painful at night. I am on 50 mg of Difene twice daily. I also rub Etoflam gel on twice a day. Do you think barbotage/lavage will work to clear my condition or will I need arthroscopic surgery? Regarding the Difene I was prescribed to take it 3 times a day. Do you think I should take the recommended dose?

[trigger1878]

how long was it till u were an
ble to return to work

[trigger1878]

how long did it take u to recover after surgery i am having surgery and just wanted to know how long it took u to get back to work

[Jodiweber]

I just had my 3rd bought of calcific tendinitis. It first happened in my left shoulder 6 years ago. Then it happened in my right shoulder 5 months later. Both times were unbearable pain. I was on double doses of heavy pain meds & still in tears. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate the pain a 30!  The second time I had arthroscopic surgery & had the calcium removed in that shoulder. My recovery pain was maybe rated a 2. It was great. Unfortunately, I just had a flare-up again in my left shoulder (the one we did not operate on.). The calcium actually covered my rotator & bicep tendon this time. I just had surgery Monday. This surgery is a little more to recover from due to the large calcium. Both of my surgeries required anchors to be put in my rotators. Good luck to you.  Don't be hesitant about shoulder surgery because the recovery is less painful than the calcium flare ups.

[Belsam]

I have chronic calcific tendonitus and have been in excrutiating pain on and off since May this year. My Dr originally diagnosed me as having put my neck out...I had to keep going back and telling him it was my shoulder. He actually got the ***** with me and made me feel like I was wasting his time. He finally sent me off for an ultrasound in Early Aug and found out that I had a LARGE calcium deposit. He then sent me to get the ultrasound guiding aspiration (needling) something like that and they found the calcium deposit had gone hard because it had been left so long untreated.They only removed a tiny amount and gave me a shot of cortizon which unfortunately didn't help. I usually make it to Wednesday and then I am in excrutiating pain again. I have been to the Dr today and discussed it at length and I will be getting the operation to get it cut out now. It's my only option and I am desperate. He has given me panadine forte for the pain and has encouraged me to do stretching exercises but I am hoping that the op will solve all my problems.

[CT971]

Hi, I am also 46 years young and lead a very active life.  I am experiencing my second flare up of calcific tendonitis.  The last time was about two years ago and I did several things to deal with the pain and decreased mobility.  First, I did get a injection of cortisone into the shoulder from an orthopedic doctor.  That provided some immediate relief from the constant pain and aching that kept me from sleeping.  Second, I took a full month off from activity that might be agrivating the shoulder pain (no mountain biking, no gardening, no weight lifting).  This was reall hard, but necessary.  Next, I saw a physical therapist for several weeks for ultrasound, stretching and mobilization.  It took about a month to resolve but haven't had a problem with the shoulder till now.  I guess its time to heed my own advice.  I wish you well.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Calcific tendonitis is a condition of calcium deposits within the rotator cuff tendons.

Exercises and stretching can help prevent a stiff shoulder and will prevent the occurrence of a painful condition called frozen shoulder.

Application of moist heat will give you relief and so will intermittent intake of pain killers.

Surgery is the last option when conservative treatment fails.

Take care!