Calcific tendinits is an extraordinarily painful shoulder condition that deposits calcium crystals into the rotator cuff tendons.  This leads to subacromial bursitis.  A recent study was performed to determine whether shoulder pain from calcific tendinits could be relieved without surgery, through a technique known as shock wave therapy.

Tufts Medical Center researchers reviewed 28 clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of the therapy, which can be performed in a doctor’s office, and found that it was effective for a specific form of the condition where calcifications were present on an imaging scan of the tendons. The researchers also found that high-energy shock therapy worked better than the low-energy method, according to the results published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

This is a preliminary finding, but one which could eventually change the lives of many patients who suffer with the abiding agony of rotator cuff pain caused by calcific tendinits. Although the FDA has yet to approve shock wave therapy for this purpose, further trials are already in the works.  Currently shock wave therapy is used to treat achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis.

In the meantime, contact your San Diego orthopedic surgeon to learn more about the best options available today.