Calcifying tendinopathy is a common disorder caused by calcium buildup in tendons. It can happen anywhere in the body, but it is most common in the shoulder, specifically the rotator cuff or subacromial-subdeltoid bursa.
Calcifying tendinopathy has been reported in up to nearly 8% of shoulders in adults, with women representing 70% of cases. People between the ages of 40 and 60 are most at-risk. Patients often present with sudden shoulder pain, stiffness, or tenderness that can disrupt sleep and reduce range of motion.
Conservative treatment includes rest, heat and ice, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid injections. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary, although that carries risks of infection, frozen shoulder, and reactions to general anesthesia.
Shockwave therapy is an effective treatment option for patients seeking a drug-free, non-invasive alternative.
Shockwave Therapy for Calcifying Tendinopathy
Shockwave therapy uses acoustic pressure waves to encourage blood flow to an affected area. This enhances the body’s natural healing process by stimulating cells responsible for healing damaged bone and tissue. Shockwave therapy has been clinically proven to treat many musculoskeletal disorders including calcifying tendinopathy.
A recently published study looked at the effects of shockwave therapy on pain, functional disability, quality of life, and ultrasonic changes in patients with rotator cuff calcifying tendinopathy.
Researchers randomly divided 42 patients into two groups. One group received shockwave therapy while the other received routine physical therapy. To measure pain, shoulder functionality, ultrasonic changes, and quality of life, researchers used the numeric pain rating scale, Constant-Murley score, ultrasonography, and Western Ontario rotator cuff index.
Following treatment, the shockwave group experienced less pain, improved functionality, and better quality of life. Shockwave therapy also decreased the size of calcified deposits. Researchers concluded that shockwave therapy “proved to be superior to routine physiotherapy” for treating rotator cuff calcifying tendinopathy.
The Best Shockwave Devices on the Market
Shockwave Canada is the exclusive distributor of Storz medical devices, the industry leader in shockwave technology. Healthcare professionals from varying fields use our devices to treat calcifying tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, myofascial pain, and more. With our technology and support, you can leverage this technology in your practice, too.
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