Pain Management: Calcific Tendonitis

Calcific tendonitis is a disorder of the shoulder/rotator cuff, and is caused by calcium deposits on the tendon. While these deposits can form on any tendon in your body, they are very common in the shoulder. Depending on the stage of the developing deposits at your time of diagnosis, your pain may range from mild discomfort to unbearable.

If you have some time between your diagnoses your procedure, here are some tips to help alleviate the pain associated with calcific tendonitis. The easiest way to avoid pain in your shoulder due to calcific tendonitis, and to prevent any existing pain from increasing, is to avoid laying on, or over using, your shoulder.

When you lie down in bed to go to sleep, try laying on your back or stomach to keep your shoulder level. If your pain is severe you will also want to limit your range of motion. Avoid lifting your arm higher than your shoulder if possible. Don’t do any heavy lifting. You may even find it to be most comfortable if your arm is stabilized in a sling to ensure its movement is restricted.

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

In some cases you may benefit from the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. You should not begin taking this type of medication for your calcific tendonitis without first consulting your doctor. If the intensity of your pain is so bad that you are unable to sleep or function during the day, you are most likely a good candidate for anti-inflammatory drugs. If your pain is mild, however, and you are able to alleviate your pain in other ways, you should avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs unnecessarily for your calcific tendonitis.

Home Therapy

In conjunction with using some common sense tips to avoid overusing your shoulder, and in addition to taking anti-inflammatory drugs when appropriate, there are many other ways for you to treat your pain in the comfort of your home. Try icing your shoulder, for example. If ice doesn’t make your shoulder feel more comfortable, try dry heat and apply a heating pad or warm towel to your shoulder. You might also find that getting someone to massage the tender area helps ease the pain. Vitamin C is known to aid in the reduction of inflammation, so you might want to try consuming more fruits with a high content, like strawberries and citrus, or try taking a vitamin supplement. Always remember to take care of yourself for the best results possible.

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