Calcific Tendonitis

Calcification of tendons is a symptom, not a cause of pain and dysfunction. Calcium is the body's cement, it is used to shore up and provide more structure to stressed areas. When the body perceives chronic excess tension on a tendon attachment it will reinforce the attachment with calcification. When the perceived excess tension is removed, the body reabsorbs the calcium. We have seen this with calcified tendonitis and bone spurs. The mobility limitations and pain are most likely due to dysfunctional muscle relationships and pain referred from trigger points in the muscles. A common place where calcification tendonitis is diagnosed is at the bicep attachment. A person with shoulder issues often feels pain there, there are 13 shoulder muscles that refer pain there, and none of them live at that location. Being under a barrage of pain referral, the body starts modifying local tissues, as in tendon calcification, as a reaction. An MRI is ordered and it is seen that there is calcification and this is attributed as the cause of pain, but it is a symptom, not a cause. Muscle referral pain was heavily researched and documented by Drs. Travell and Simons, although it is not part of the standard medical education, and most orthodpedic doctors and PTs are unaware that muscle trigger points are the most common cause of pain. In CTB therapy, we analyze the sources of pain and dysfunction and treat them effectively.

Updated on: 10/06/2024