About calcific bursitis
What is calcific bursitis?
A bursa is a thin fluid-filled sac that reduces friction forces between tissues of the body. Chronic (repeated or long-standing) inflammation of the bursa (bursitis) can lead to calcification of the bursa. This is referred to as "calcific bursitis." The calcium deposits (calcification) can occur as long as the inflammation is present and remain after it has resolved. Calcific bursitis occurs most commonly at the shoulder (in the bursa adjacent to the rotator cuff tendons) or hip (in the bursa at the greater trochanter).
What are the symptoms for calcific bursitis?
Calcific bursitis may not cause any symptoms once the inflammation has subsided. Calcific bursitis typically leads to chronic pain, stiffness, and sometimes limited range of motion of the affected joint with use or when examined.
What are the causes for calcific bursitis?
Calcific bursitis often has no direct cause that is identified and likely occurs in this setting after unnoticed strain of a joint caused local inflammation of the bursa (bursitis).
What are the treatments for calcific bursitis?
Treatment of the inflammation of calcific bursitis can help to prevent further calcification as well as relieve pain and stiffness. Treatments include medications for inflammation, cold packs, immobilization, injections of cortisone into the bursa, physical therapy, and occasionally surgery to remove the inflamed bursa and calcium deposit.
What are the risk factors for calcific bursitis?
Risk factors for developing calcific bursitis include joint injury (trauma) and underlying diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate deposition disease (pseudogout).