Sudden Shoulder Pain Wakes Health Network Reader; Doctor Explains Calcific Tendinitis, Not Bone Spurs

A common, yet often misunderstood, cause of intense shoulder pain is calcific tendinitis, a condition that can strike suddenly and severely, even waking individuals from sleep. Many people experience no prior discomfort, only to be jolted awake in the middle of the night by excruciating pain that makes simple movements like turning over nearly impossible.

This acute onset of shoulder pain is frequently mistaken for other conditions, such as frozen shoulder. However, medical experts like Dr. Yan Yunshan, an attending physician in rehabilitation at Jiayun Clinic, emphasize that the sudden and aggressive nature of the pain points strongly towards calcific tendinitis. This condition involves the formation of calcium deposits within the tendons of the shoulder, leading to inflammation and intense discomfort.

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Shoulder pain isn't always frozen shoulder. Many people are fine before bed, only to wake up in severe pain mid-night, unable to even turn over.

Dr. Yan clarifies that calcific tendinitis is distinct from bone spurs, another common source of shoulder pain. While bone spurs are bony protrusions, calcific tendinitis involves soft tissue inflammation due to calcium deposits. Recognizing the difference is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and treatment, which may involve physical therapy, medication, or other interventions to manage the inflammation and pain.

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This sudden and severe shoulder pain is highly suspected to be 'calcific tendinitis', which is not a bone spur.