Calcific Tendonitis - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim HD

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describes the condition known as calcific tendonitis. Calcific tendonitis is a condition that causes the formation of calcium deposits within the tendons of the rotator cuff. It is a condition that usually occurs in adults around the fourth decade of life and there is a higher occurrence in people who are diabetics. These calcific deposits cause severe pain in the shoulder which is increased by elevation of the arm above the shoulder or by lying on the shoulder. These deposits affect the function of the rotator cuff, causing chemical irritation and shoulder impingement. These deposits may reduce the space between the rotator cuff and the acromion which can lead to subacromial impingement. The calcific deposits are seen on x-ray as lumps or cloudy areas. Ultrasound is more sensitive than an x-ray in detecting calcification. Stages of calcific tendonitis Stages of progression (Uhthoff’s classification) 1-Recalcification stage: site undergoes cellular changes. 2-Calcific stage: calcium is excreted in cells and forms calcium deposits. •Silent phase: chalk like calcification •Reabsorptive phase: macrophages, vascular channels, toothpaste like material under pressure that becomes painful. 3-Postcalcific stage: calcium deposit start to disappear. More normal rotator cuff tendon begins to appear. Treating calcific tendonitis Anti-inflammatory medications Physiotherapy Cortisone injection Needling & lavage: •deposits are broken up by puncturing of the deposit. •Aspirating the calcific material with a lavage usually under fluoroscopy or ultrasound) Surgery •Arthroscopic debridement Become a friend on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drebraheim Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/DrEbraheim_UTMC