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Contents
  • Initial Conservative Treatments
  • Advanced Interventions for Persistent Pain
  • Surgical Options

Effective Treatments for Calcific Tendinopathy: What Are Your Options?

Effective Treatments for Calcific Tendinopathy: What Are Your Options?

The Big Picture

Calcific tendinopathy can cause persistent shoulder pain, but there are multiple treatment options available. Understanding these can help in choosing the best path to recovery.
Contents
  • Initial Conservative Treatments
  • Advanced Interventions for Persistent Pain
  • Surgical Options

Initial Conservative Treatments

First-line treatments focus on relieving symptoms with oral anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and glucocorticoid injections. Physical therapy aims to improve shoulder posture and strength without causing pain.

Advanced Interventions for Persistent Pain

For persistent symptoms, therapies like extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound-guided lavage (barbotage) are considered. These methods aim to break down calcium deposits and reduce inflammation.
Calcific tendinopathy is characterized by the accumulation of calcium deposits in the tendons, leading to persistent shoulder pain. Treatment options include physical therapy, shockwave therapy, and glucocorticoid injections.

Surgical Options

When non-invasive methods fail, surgery may be necessary to remove calcifications. Arthroscopic surgery is common, and results show improvement, although it may lead to complications like rotator cuff tears.

FAQs

What is the first step in treating calcific tendinopathy?

Initial treatment includes anti-inflammatory meds and physical therapy.

What if conservative treatments don't work?

Advanced treatments like ESWT or barbotage may be considered.

Is surgery a common treatment?

Surgery is an option if non-invasive treatments fail to relieve symptoms.

What does physical therapy focus on?

Improving shoulder posture and strength without causing pain.

Wrapping Up

Exploring treatment options can significantly improve shoulder health in calcific tendinopathy.
Don't hesitate to explore these options with Doctronic to find relief.
Additional References
  1. Jerosch J, Strauss JM, Schmiel S. Arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1998; 7:30.
  2. Daecke W, Kusnierczak D, Loew M. Long-term effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002; 11:476.
  3. Louwerens JK, Sierevelt IN, van Noort A, van den Bekerom MP. Evidence for minimally invasive therapies in the management of chronic calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2014; 23:1240.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.