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Rotator cuff tendinitis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Rotator cuff tendinitis (also called calcific tendinitis) is a inflammatory disease of the tendons forming the rotator cuff of the shoulder.

Symptoms include

shoulder pain

limitation of movement

pain is increased by active use of the shoulder

Natural history of the disease has three stages.

Precalcific is the first stage.

there are no symptoms at this stage
X rays if taken at this stage will be normal
Microscopically the tendon at this stage undergoes metaplasia (collagen in the tendon changes into fibrocartilaginous tissue)

Calcific is the second stage.

calcium deposition in the tendon begins
mild pain is present
x rays will show well defined calcium deposits
this is followed by absorption of the calcium deposits
pain increases significantly
now X rays show hazy calcium deposits
most patients consult the doctor at this stage
microscopically the calcium is absorbed and granulation tissue takes its place

Postcalcific is the third stage.

pain subsides and x rays are normal
granulation tissue is replaced by mature collagen fibres

Treatment includes

pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs
heat applied to the shoulder
exercises of the shoulder
injections of steroid at the site of pain

When patients do not respond to the above treatment methods, then surgery is undertaken. In surgery the calcific deposits are removed, either by needling or by excision through a small incision.

I hope the information provided was helpful. If you have any query you can ask me at the contact me page.

This page was last updated on 1st April 2009.

Other causes of shoulder pain...

Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder Fracture

Go back from Rotator cuff tendinitis to Shoulder Pain

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