The supraspinatus is part of the rotator cuff of the shoulder, whose function is to elevate and medial-external rotate the upper extremity. Calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus is a specific form of tendinitis that occurs in the context of a chronic impingement syndrome or a chronic tendinitis and is characterized by the accumulation of calcium at the site of injury or inflammation of the affected tendon.
The clinical picture of this pathology is similar to simple tendinopathy of the supraspinatus. Patients who have calcific tendinitis usually have:
- pain in the shoulder area that radiates to the elbow, neck and shoulder blade,
- pain that often worsens during sleep,
- avoiding use of the upper extremity due to pain,
- burning sensation in upper extremity.
The clinical examination can give enough findings to suspect the existence of calcifying tendinitis, and with a simple X-ray this hypothesis can be confirmed. Radiological examination will confirm the presence of calcification, which will allow us to characterize the tendinopathy as calcifying.
Usually, calcifying tendinopathy is treated conservatively, with the physical therapy protocol including strengthening exercises of the rotator cuff and stabilizing muscles of the scapula and Manual Therapy mobilizations of the shoulder girdle, but also of the thoracic spine.
