Calcium is vital for the formation of healthy bones and teeth and normal physiological functions, such as nerve transmissions, dilation and contraction of blood vessels and the secretion of hormones. Ninety-nine percent of all calcium is found in your skeleton, making it the body's most common mineral. Under certain circumstances, calcium may be abnormally deposited in between a joint, causing swelling and pain of the tendons and ligaments. This is referred to as calcific tendinitis.
Calcific Tendinitis
Stiffness and pain may come and go, usually lasting about two weeks. Other symptoms may include tenderness, swelling, crackling of the affected joint called crepitus, redness of the area and warmth to the touch. A 2009 study in the journal "Rheumatology" found that the progression of calcification and shape of the calcium deposit in 28 patients played a role in the degree of pain felt by the individual.
Causes
Tendinitis may be seen more often in people who are overweight, people who have diabetes and people with certain inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis. Calcific tendinitis takes place when calcium builds up on the tendons and ligaments and causes the tissues to break down or tear. Calcium depositing may be initiated by trauma to the joint as in a fall, overuse of the joint, carrying heavy objects, repetitive movements and improper training techniques.
Areas Affected
Calcific tendinitis is most common in the shoulder, but it does occur in the wrists, hands, elbows, knees and feet. An article in the medical journal "Hand" explains that acute calcific tendinitis, or ACT, often goes misdiagnosed in the hands or wrists as it is so uncommon.
Treatment
Treatment for calcific tendinitis may include rest, ice packs to help with the swelling, physical therapy to help increase movement, strengthening exercises, massage and high energy shock wave therapy that may help decrease pain and relieve symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, may be used, as may corticosteroid injections into the affected tendon. Colchicine is also a drug of choice for calcific tendonitis.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University; Calcium; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; April 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tendinitis
- University of California: Calcific Tendinitis
- "Rheumatology"; Correlations Among Mineral Components, Progressive Calcification Process and Clinical Symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis; Hong-Jen Chiou, et al.; December 2009
- "Hand"; An Unusual Presentation of Acute Calcific Tendinitis in the Hand; Albert R. Harris, et al.; July 2008
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