Calcific tendonitis (CT) is not rare by any means, but it’s easy to have it overlooked until clear symptoms appear. Research shows it affects about 2.7% to 10.3% of people and roughly half of those people eventually develop symptoms.
Women are about twice as likely to experience it as men, and it tends to appear between the ages of 30 and 60. In up to 25% of cases, both shoulders are involved.
Modern technology has revealed that calcific deposits are far more common than older research suggested, with some studies showing rates as high as 17% to 24% in women between 18 and 65.
The problem is that many deposits go unnoticed until they trigger pain and inflammation. Without early diagnostics and treatment, calcific tendonitis progresses to frozen shoulder or tendon tears, making things a little more complicated.
What Is Calcific Tendonitis?
Calcific tendonitis develops when calcium deposits form inside a tendon, most often in the rotator cuff of the shoulder. These deposits are made of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals.
When the crystals build up, they interrupt the tendon’s collagen fibers, increase internal pressure, and set off inflammation. That’s why the shoulder or a joint can suddenly feel tight, and difficult to move.
What Are the Stages of Calcific Tendonitis?
Calcific tendonitis develops in stages, each its own symptoms. There are three stages which are the:
Pre-calcific stage
The tendon cells start to change, making the tissue more prone to calcium buildup. People often feel mild pain and a loss of range of motion.
Calcific stage
Calcium crystals are released into the tendon and begin forming deposits. This is usually the most painful stage because the buildup irritates the surrounding tissue.
Post-calcific stage
After treatment, the body reabsorbs the calcium and replaces it with normal tissue. Symptoms gradually improve as the tendon heals.
Common Causes of Calcific Tendonitis We See in Wheat Ridge, CO
In many patients with calcific tendonitis it develops alongside other health conditions or natural changes in the shoulder. Below are some of the most common factors we see.
Rotator Cuff Tears
When the rotator cuff tendon tears, even partially, it disrupts the tendon’s structure. This weakens the normal collagen fibers and limits blood flow to the tissue, and this creates an environment where calcium deposits are more likely to form.
Over time, the combination of a tear and calcification can make shoulder pain and stiffness much worse.
Diabetes Mellitus
The supraspinatus tendon (the bony bump on the upper arm) has a naturally poor blood supply.
Because circulation here is already limited, adding the vascular changes caused by diabetes results in a much higher chance of calcium deposits forming, leading to calcific tendonitis.
Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid function changes the body’s overall metabolism, and this can directly affect tendon health. With hypothyroidism, tissues don’t regenerate as efficiently, and calcium metabolism is altered. The rotator cuff tendons become more prone to degeneration and calcification.
Aging
As we get older, blood supply to the rotator cuff naturally decreases. With less blood circulation and slower metabolism as a whole, tendons are more likely to accumulate calcium deposits.
That’s why calcific tendonitis is most often seen in people between the ages of 30 and 60, and the risk only increases with time.
How We Treat Calcific Tendonitis at The Disc Chiropractic
At our clinic The Disc Chiropractic, I combine multiple treatment options that address both the tendon itself and the surrounding joints and muscles.
Shockwave Therapy
For shockwave therapy, I use the Intelect RPW 2 device, which sends high-energy acoustic waves directly into the calcified area. These waves help fragment calcium deposits, stimulate the body to reabsorb them, and increase blood flow in the area.
Many of our patients feel less pain and better shoulder functionality after about 3 to 5 sessions.
Soft Tissue Therapy
I also use the Rapid Release Pro 3, which works to loosen tight muscles around the shoulder such as the deltoid and trapezius. When these muscles become tense, they place even more pressure on the inflamed tendon.
This therapy reduces that tension, breaks up small adhesions in the shoulder capsule, and restores mobility.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Using precise yet gentle thrust to the joints, we reduce stress and improve how the entire shoulder moves. Better joint alignment also means the tendon experiences less friction and pressure.
When combined with shockwave therapy or soft tissue therapy, adjustments help patients not only get out of pain but also move more freely and prevent flare-ups from coming back.
FAQs About Calcific Tendonitis
What causes calcium to build up in tendons?
Calcium deposits often form in areas of the tendon where blood circulation is poor, especially in the critical zone of the supraspinatus tendon in the rotator cuff. This lack of circulation makes the tissue more vulnerable.
Does calcific tendonitis always need surgery?
No. Most patients improve with conservative care. Non-surgical treatments such as shockwave therapy often provide lasting relief. Surgery is typically only recommended if pain persists for more than 6 to 12 months.
How effective is shockwave therapy for calcific tendonitis?
Studies show shockwave therapy is very effective, with 60% to 80% of patients reporting significant pain relief and improved function. Many patients notice improvement after 3 to 5 sessions, and deposits often shrink or disappear on follow-up imaging.
How long does it take to recover from calcific tendonitis?
Recovery can vary. If caught early it often improves within 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. More stubborn cases, especially with larger deposits, may take 3 to 6 months for pain to fully resolve and shoulder mobility to return.
Is calcific tendonitis the same as frozen shoulder?
No. Calcific tendonitis is caused by calcium deposits inside the tendon, while frozen shoulder is a thickening and tightening of the shoulder capsule.
Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse
Our $97 New Patient Special is the starting point. Patients all over Wheat Ridge and Denver trust us because we give clear answers and provide a natural, non-surgical path forward.
You’ll leave your first visit understanding what’s causing your pain and exactly what it will take to fix it. If you’re ready to stop managing calcific tendonitis and start solving it
Book Your $97 New Patient Special Now or Call: 720-573-4910