From the Guidelines
Calcium deposits in the elbow joint, also known as calcific tendinopathy, are typically treated with conservative measures such as rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications, rather than calcium lavage, which is not a standard medical treatment.
Treatment Options
- Conservative measures: rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to reduce pain and inflammation, as well as anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen 400-600mg three times daily for 1-2 weeks 1
- Physical therapy: to improve range of motion and strengthen the surrounding muscles
- Needle lavage and aspiration: a procedure where the calcium deposit is broken up and removed using a needle under ultrasound guidance, sometimes followed by a corticosteroid injection 1
When to Seek Medical Attention
- If you're experiencing elbow pain with suspected calcium deposits, consult with an orthopedic specialist or sports medicine physician for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations tailored to your specific condition
- Surgery is rarely needed but may be considered for severe cases unresponsive to other treatments
Important Considerations
- Corticosteroid injections may be more effective than NSAIDs in the acute phase of epicondylosis, but do not change long-term outcomes of pain 1
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has demonstrated mixed benefit for lateral elbow pain, and orthotics may be used, although their effectiveness is not well established 1
From the Research
Treatment Options for Calcium Deposit (Hypercalcemia) in the Elbow Joint
- The treatment for calcium deposit (hypercalcemia) in the elbow joint is typically conservative, including physical therapy, iontophoresis, deep friction, local or systemic application of noninflammatory drugs, needle irrigation-aspiration of calcium deposit, and subacromial bursal steroid injection 2.
- Electroacupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment option for calcific tendonitis, with significant pain reduction and improvement of function 3.
- Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needling and lavage (barbotage) is a safe and effective treatment option for rotator cuff calcific tendinitis, with significant pain reduction and improvement of function 4.
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is also a treatment option for calcific tendinitis, but its effectiveness may vary depending on the size of the calcium deposit 5.
Comparison of Treatment Options
- Ultrasound-guided needling with subacromial corticosteroid injection has been shown to be more effective than ESWT for function restoration and pain relief in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder 5.
- Barbotage has been shown to be an effective treatment option for rotator cuff calcific tendinitis, with significant pain reduction and improvement of function, and may be more effective than ESWT in some cases 4.
Other Treatment Options
- Double-needle ultrasound-guided percutaneous lavage (UGPL) has been used to treat calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament, a rare cause of painful knee 6.
- Observation, local injections, shockwave therapy, and surgical resection are also treatment options for calcific bursitis and/or calcification of the medial collateral ligament 6.