Calcific tendinopathy is a condition where calcium deposits build up in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder. The deposits often cause no symptoms, but when the body starts to break them down they can cause sudden, severe pain. In most people the condition settles over time, often on its own.
Also known as calcific tendonitis, calcific tendinitis, calcium deposits in the shoulder
Symptoms
- Sudden, severe shoulder pain that often starts without injury
- Pain that is often worse at night
- Painful, limited movement, especially lifting the arm out to the side or forwards
- Tenderness over the outside of the shoulder
- Some people have a longer-lasting, lower-level ache
Causes and risk factors
- The exact cause is not fully understood
- Being a woman aged roughly 30 to 60
- Diabetes and thyroid problems, which have been linked to it
- Age-related tendon changes
What the evidence says helps
- Calcific tendinopathy often settles over time. A 10-year follow-up study found that deposits usually shrink and serious long-term shoulder damage is uncommon.5
- Shockwave therapy and ultrasound-guided needling have both been shown to reduce pain and help deposits clear, and reviews suggest they are reasonable options before surgery.34
- However, a high-quality 2023 trial found that ultrasound-guided washing out of the deposit with a steroid injection was no better than a sham procedure, when everyone also did home exercises.2
- Surgery to remove the deposit is usually reserved for persistent symptoms that have not responded to other treatment.3
Things you can try at home
- Use pain relief and ice or heat to help settle a flare.
- Keep the arm moving gently within comfortable limits to avoid stiffness.
- Change how you sleep, for example with a pillow under the arm.
- As pain eases, build up shoulder strength with a graded programme.
When to get urgent help
Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency if you have:
- A hot, red, swollen shoulder with fever or feeling generally unwell: get same-day help from your GP or NHS 111, as this can signal a joint infection.
- Shoulder pain that comes with chest pain, tightness, breathlessness, sweating or feeling sick: call 999, as this can be a heart problem.
- A visible deformity, severe pain or being unable to move the arm after a fall or blow: go to A&E or an urgent treatment centre.
- Shoulder pain with unexplained weight loss, a new lump, or a past history of cancer: see your GP urgently.
- Pain so severe you cannot move the arm at all, with no improvement from pain relief: contact your GP the same day or call NHS 111.
How Apollo can help
We take a careful history and examine your shoulder to judge whether calcific tendinopathy is likely, and explain how the condition usually behaves over time. Our team provides hands-on care where appropriate, advice on easing flares and a graded exercise plan to restore movement and strength. If imaging, shockwave therapy, needling or a specialist opinion would help, we write to your GP to refer you on.
No GP referral needed. Clinics in Sheringham, Coltishall and Norwich.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Do calcium deposits in the shoulder go away on their own?
Often, yes. The body can reabsorb the deposits, and this phase is usually when pain is worst. Many people find symptoms settle over time, though some have longer-lasting pain.
Does shockwave therapy work for calcific tendonitis?
Reviews of trials suggest shockwave therapy can reduce pain and help deposits clear, particularly higher-energy focused shockwave. It is usually considered when symptoms persist despite simpler care.
Is calcific tendinopathy caused by too much calcium in my diet?
No. It is not linked to calcium in your diet. The deposits appear to form through changes inside the tendon itself, although the exact cause is still unclear.
References
- Louwerens JK et al. (2015). Prevalence of calcific deposits within the rotator cuff tendons in adults with and without subacromial pain syndrome: clinical and radiologic analysis of 1219 patients. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. View source
- Moosmayer S et al. (2023). Ultrasound guided lavage with corticosteroid injection versus sham lavage with and without corticosteroid injection for calcific tendinopathy of shoulder: randomised double blinded multi-arm study. BMJ. View source
- Angileri HS et al. (2023). Chronic calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing operative and nonoperative interventions. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. View source
- Wu YC et al. (2017). Comparative effectiveness of nonoperative treatments for chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. View source
- Compagnoni R et al. (2021). Long-term evolution of calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff: clinical and radiological evaluation 10 years after diagnosis. Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. View source
- Guido F et al. (2024). Clinical features in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: a scoping review. Shoulder & Elbow. View source
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional. Content prepared from the sources above, November 2026.
