Shoulder

Rotator Cuff Calcification

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Rotator Cuff Calcification, Calcific Tendonitis of Rotator Cuff, Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis

  • See Also
  1. Rotator Cuff Injury
  2. Barbotage and Lavage of Calcific Tendonitis
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Degenerative changes at rupture site (Supraspinatus)
  2. Calcification enlarges to irritate overlying bursa
  3. Results in impingement under coracoacromial arch
  • Symptoms
  1. Similar to strains and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
  2. Night pain
    1. Unable to sleep on Shoulder
  • Signs
  1. Marked decreased range of motion
  2. Tenderness to palpation over bursa or calcific deposit
  1. Views
    1. Internal or external rotation
    2. Transaxillary
  2. Findings
    1. Calcium deposition
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
  2. Rotator Cuff Rupture
  • Management
  1. Subacromial Corticosteroid Injection
  2. Moist warm packs
  3. Diathermy or local Ultrasound
  4. Arm in sling for acute pain
  5. Shoulder Range of Motion Exercises
  6. Barbotage and Lavage
    1. See Barbotage and Lavage of Calcific Tendonitis
    2. Bedside procedure as a modified Arthrocentesis
  7. Surgical excision of calcific deposits
    1. Reserved for resistant cases
  8. High energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)
    1. Gerdesmeyer (2003) JAMA 290:2573-80 [PubMed]