Acute Calcifying Tendinitis

Calcifying tendinitis is characterized by cell-mediated calcium deposition in nondegenerative rotator cuff tendons. The deposits normally undergo spontaneous resorption followed by subsequent healing of the tendon. During the deposition of calcium, the patient may be either free of pain or suffer only a mild to moderate degree of discomfort; however, the disease becomes acutely painful when the calcium is being resorbed. Successful treatment strategies can be formulated based on the clinical and radiographic features, and an understanding of the pathology involved. Four patients with calcifying tendinitis of the rotator cuff are presented. All had an acute onset of severe shoulder pain and limitation of movement. A plain radiograph identified and localized the calcific deposit on individual tendons. Infiltration of triamcinolone and local anaesthetic into the calcified area itself brought dramatic improvement. Within a few days of conservative treatment, all patients had a substantial reduction in discomfort.