What it is
Calcium can be deposited in a rotator cuff tendon and then, as the body reabsorbs it, cause an intense flare of pain. It is alarming but self-limiting in most people, and there are effective ways to shorten the painful phase.
How it usually presents
- Sudden, severe shoulder pain with little or no injury
- Almost complete reluctance to move the arm during a flare
- Pain that settles over weeks to months
How it is assessed
X-ray usually shows the deposit clearly; ultrasound helps confirm its stage.
Treatment options
- Strong pain relief and a short period of rest during the acute flare
- Guided injection
- Ultrasound-guided barbotage (needling) of the deposit
- Arthroscopic removal in a minority of cases
Non-surgical treatment is considered first wherever it is reasonable. Which option suits you depends on your symptoms, your goals and what you want from treatment, which is exactly what we discuss in clinic.
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