What conditions are associated with calcific tendinitis?

From the Guidelines

Calcific tendinitis is commonly associated with several underlying conditions, including rotator cuff injuries, degenerative tendon diseases, and systemic conditions like diabetes and autoimmune diseases. The condition is characterized by calcium deposits in tendons and is frequently linked to repetitive microtrauma from occupational activities or sports that involve overhead motions. Some of the key conditions associated with calcific tendinitis include:

• Degenerative tendon diseases
• Systemic conditions like diabetes and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, although the provided evidence 1 focuses on psoriatic arthritis, which also involves inflammatory processes affecting joints and tendons.
• Metabolic disorders affecting calcium regulation
• Repetitive microtrauma from occupational activities or sports
• Age, with middle-aged adults being most commonly affected
• Genetic predisposition
• Tendon injuries or surgeries as part of the healing process It's essential to note that while the evidence 1 discusses psoriatic arthritis in detail, it does not directly address calcific tendinitis. However, understanding the associations between calcific tendinitis and various conditions can help in managing the disorder more effectively. The management of conditions like psoriatic arthritis, as outlined in the guidelines 1, emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to alleviate signs and symptoms, inhibit structural damage, and maximize quality of life, which can be applied to the management of calcific tendinitis by addressing underlying conditions.

From the Research

Conditions Associated with Calcific Tendinitis

Calcific tendinitis is a common shoulder disorder characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in the tendons of the rotator cuff. The following conditions are associated with calcific tendinitis:

• Shoulder pain: Calcific tendinitis is a common cause of shoulder pain in adults, typically presenting as activity-related pain 2, 3, 4.
• Rotator cuff tendon disorders: Calcific tendinitis is often associated with rotator cuff tendon disorders, including tendinopathy and tears 2, 3, 5.
• Limited range of motion: Calcific tendinitis can cause limited range of motion and stiffness in the shoulder joint 2, 6.
• Inflammatory reactions: The resorptive phase of calcific tendinitis is characterized by an aggressive inflammatory reaction, leading to pain, edema, and rise of intra-tendineous pressure 2.

Demographic Associations

Calcific tendinitis is more common in certain demographic groups, including:

• Sedentary workers: Calcific tendinitis usually occurs in sedentary workers, particularly in the fifth and sixth decades of life 2.
• Adults: Calcific tendinitis is a common cause of shoulder pain in adults, with 7%-17% of individuals with shoulder pain having rotator cuff calcium deposits 5.

Treatment-Related Conditions

The following conditions are related to the treatment of calcific tendinitis:

• Intolerable pain: The acute and severely painful resorptive stage of calcific tendinitis often demands operative intervention 2.
• Coexisting pathology: Magnetic resonance imaging studies can help evaluate any coexisting pathology, such as rotator cuff tears or tendinopathy 2, 3.