Calcific Tendinopathy - usually know as Tendonitis - is a clinical condition of the shoulder rotator cuff - the insertion of four tendons into the humerus - in which calcium deposits are formed. In many case those calcium deposits do cause any symptoms, but in the case they do, those symptoms can be severe.
What are the Symptoms of Calcific Tendinopathy?
Pain is the main symptom of Calcific Tendinopathy, which can become particularly painful :
- during movement of the hand on the frontal and dorsal side
- consantly, even when the limb is not moving
- at night during sleep
- radiating pain towards the arm or the nack
The hand is weak and has a restricted range of motion to all directions.
Risk Factors of Calcific Tendinopathy
The condition usualy appears to middle aged people and may be due to :
- Shoulder impigment
- intense work of the hand higher than the level of the shoulder, for a long period
- muscle weakness which affects the position of scapula
- hit or injury of the affecteds area the area
- unknown etiology
How can Physical Therapy Help with Calcific Tendinopathy?
During treatment the immediate concern is the cease of pain, which can be very acute in certain cases. This is achived through a combination of interventions, such as specialized massage and electrotherapy, which can be effective in any case. Then passive and active kinesiotherapy, with also specialized exercises is applied. Gradually, with the increase of shoulder range of motion, a set of exercises that will adjust the stabilization of shoulder are introduced, which eventually lead the scapula realignment and avert future reappearence of the clinical condition, but alsoa allow the calcific deposits absorpion. The interventions used are:
- Muscle stretching exercises
- Shoulder dynamic stability
- Orthopedic Manual Therapy
- Physical Therapy Modalities such as thermotherapy, cryotherapy, diathermy for pain and inflamation reduction
- TECAR for deep tissue heating
Differential Evaluation
Evaluation by the Physical Therapist in necessary for detecting other potential pathologies that coexist, such as:
- Shoulder impigment
- Shoulder dislocation
- Frozen shoulder
- Supraspinatus tendinopathy
- Bursitis
Evaluation by Othropedic Physical Therapist Konstantinos Danalis is done by taking your medical history and history of the clinical condition, by clinical trials and a test therapy that follows.
Did you have surgery for Calcific Tendonitis?
Physical Therapy can help you maximize the benefits of a surgery.Together with Physical Therapist Mr. Danalis you will customise your rehabilitaion, so that post-surgery pain is addressed quickly, and with exercise your hand will once again be strong and with full range of motion.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Calcific Tendinopathy Contact PhysioDanali today for expert consultation.
References
- Dyer JO, Doiron-Cadrin P, Lafrance S, et al. Diagnosing, Managing, and Supporting Return to Work of Adults With Rotator Cuff Disorders: Clinical Practice Guideline Methods. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2022;52(10):665-674. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11307