Calcific tendonitis is a painful condition caused by calcium deposits forming within a tendon, leading to stiffness, discomfort, and limited mobility. These calcifications can grow over time, further irritating the surrounding tissues and even causing small tears. If left untreated, the condition can become increasingly difficult to manage. For those seeking a non-invasive solution, shockwave therapy has emerged as an effective treatment that breaks down calcium deposits, reduces pain, and promotes natural healing. In this blog, we’ll explore how shockwave therapy works for calcific tendonitis, the benefits it offers, and what you can expect from the treatment process.
What is Calcific Tendonitis?
Calcific tendinitis is a condition where the ends of certain tendons become calcified over time. These calcifications can result in pain, impingement and pinching sensations, depending on where the calcification occurs. Over time, these calcifications can get larger and can actually begin to create small tears within the muscle, resulting in inflammation and discomfort.
This condition most commonly affects the shoulder joint, particularly the rotator cuff tendons, but can also develop in the hips, elbows, knees, or wrists. Calcium deposits within the tendons vary in size and density, sometimes remaining asymptomatic for years before causing pain and restricted movement.
While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, degenerative changes and repetitive strain are believed to trigger calcium buildup. The condition is most common in adults aged 30 to 60, with women slightly more affected than men. Those with jobs or activities involving repetitive overhead movements, like athletes, painters, or construction workers, face a higher risk.
Symptoms range from mild discomfort to severe pain that can limit movement. In many cases, pain appears suddenly when calcium deposits irritate surrounding tissues. Stiffness, tenderness, and difficulty moving the affected joint are common, especially in the mornings or after inactivity. In more advanced cases, chronic inflammation can lead to stiffness, weakness, and disrupted sleep due to pain.
Although calcific tendonitis may resolve on its own, the process can be slow and painful. Treatments like shockwave therapy can ease symptoms, speed up healing, and restore mobility.
Shockwave Therapy for Calcific Tendonitis Explained
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in injured or damaged tissues. The therapy works by delivering pulses of acoustic waves into the affected area, creating controlled microtrauma that breaks down calcium deposits, increases blood flow, and triggers the body’s natural repair processes. Here is how shockwave therapy might be beneficial for those with calcific tendonitis:
Here’s how shockwave therapy may benefit those with calcific tendonitis:
- Immediate Pain Relief: One of the most significant advantages of shockwave therapy is the potential for rapid pain reduction. The mechanical pulses desensitize pain receptors. While full recovery takes multiple sessions, there is usually an immediate response and relief of pain or discomfort.
- Focused Healing: Shockwave therapy has been specifically developed for conditions like calcific tendonitis, making it an ideal treatment option. It doesn’t just mask the pain; it directly targets calcifications and damaged tendon fibres, promoting natural healing and long-term recovery.
- Breaking Up Calcifications: The high-energy waves delivered during shockwave therapy help break up calcifications into chunks that are small enough for the body to break down further and reabsorb.
- Inflammation Control: Chronic inflammation is a major issue with calcific tendonitis, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Shockwave therapy creates microtrauma within the tissue which helps regulate inflammatory responses by stimulating cellular repair processes, reducing swelling, and preventing further tissue damage.
- Increased Blood Flow: Shockwave therapy enhances circulation to the affected tendon, delivering oxygen and nutrients needed for healing. This boost in blood flow accelerates recovery and promotes stronger, healthier tendon tissue.
By addressing both the root cause of calcific tendonitis and its symptoms, shockwave therapy provides a comprehensive, non-invasive treatment that supports long-term pain relief and functional improvement.
How Many Shockwave Therapy Sessions Are Needed for Calcific Tendonitis?
The number of sessions needed for calcific tendonitis depends on various factors, including the severity of the condition. The benefit of shockwave is that there is typically immediate relief with the first session. We do need to allow the tissue to heal and recover for at least 4-5 days between sessions to avoid significant bruising or pain. On average, most of the conditions we treat with shockwave therapy require 4 to 6 treatments.
Calcific Tendonitis Treatment: Shockwave Therapy vs. Surgery
For treating calcific tendonitis, shockwave therapy offers a non-invasive alternative to surgery, effectively breaking down calcium deposits with minimal risk and downtime. Understanding the key differences can help determine the best treatment for your recovery:
- Non-Invasive Approach: Unlike surgery, which requires incisions and tissue disruption, shockwave therapy is completely non-invasive. There are no surgical wounds, no stitches, and no need for anesthesia.
- Minimal Side Effects: Shockwave therapy has very few side effects, with most people experiencing only temporary soreness or mild redness at the treatment site. In contrast, surgery comes with risks such as infection, scar tissue formation, and complications from anesthesia.
- Faster Recovery Time: With shockwave therapy, people can resume their daily activities almost immediately, with only minor adjustments as needed. Surgery, on the other hand, often requires weeks or even months of rehabilitation, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life.
- Lower Risk of Complications: Every surgical procedure carries risks such as infection, blood clots, or nerve damage. With shockwave therapy, there is no risk of post-surgical complications, making it a safer choice for many individuals.
- Promotes Natural Healing: Instead of surgically removing calcifications, shockwave therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. It breaks down calcium deposits into smaller particles, allowing the body to reabsorb them naturally, while also improving tendon regeneration and function.
While surgery remains an option for severe, non-responsive cases, shockwave therapy offers a highly effective first-line treatment that can often eliminate the need for invasive procedures altogether. If you’re considering treatment for calcific tendonitis, shockwave therapy provides a safer, quicker, and more natural approach to recovery.
Is Shockwave Therapy for Calcific Tendonitis Painful?
Shockwave therapy is not the most comfortable procedure, but most people find the discomfort manageable and short-lived. The amount of pain experienced also depends on where you apply the shockwave and the individual’s pain tolerance. Generally speaking, the closer, the location of application is to bone, the more uncomfortable it is. On the other hand, softer tissue regions tend to be less sensitive.
For those with lower pain tolerance, practitioners can adjust the intensity of the treatment to ensure comfort while still delivering effective results. Any post-treatment soreness is usually mild and temporary, often easing within a few hours to a day, making shockwave therapy a well-tolerated option for pain relief and tendon healing.
What Is the Success Rate of Shockwave Therapy for Calcific Tendonitis?
While we cannot guarantee immediate results, we can confidently say that clients who use shockwave therapy for calcific tendonitis experience some type of improvement. Whether it’s immediate or after a few regular sessions, we haven’t had any cases where individuals with calcific tendonitis don’t see some kind of improvement in their condition.
The success of shockwave therapy depends on the severity of the condition, the body’s healing response, and treatment consistency. To enhance effectiveness, you should avoid excessive strain and repetitive movements during recovery. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, can help restore function and prevent re-injury. A healthy diet, hydration, and anti-inflammatory strategies also support healing.
Managing Calcific Tendonitis Alongside Shockwave Therapy: Essential Tips
While shockwave therapy is effective for treating calcific tendonitis, combining it with self-care strategies can enhance recovery and prevent recurrence. Here are key tips to support healing:
- Stay Active, But Don’t Overdo It: Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises help maintain mobility without straining the tendon.
- Use Heat or Cold Therapy: Ice reduces inflammation, while heat improves circulation and relaxes tissues.
- Eat for Tendon Health: Collagen, vitamin C, and omega-3s support tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
- Hydrate Well: Tendons need water to stay flexible and heal properly.
- Modify Activities: Avoid repetitive movements that worsen pain and adjust posture or technique as needed.
- Follow Treatment Consistently: Stick to your shockwave therapy schedule to achieve the best results.
- Listen to Your Body: Some discomfort is normal, but persistent or worsening pain should be discussed with your provider.
By combining shockwave therapy with these simple adjustments, you can speed up recovery, improve tendon function, and reduce the risk of future issues.
Stop Pain in Its Tracks
Living with calcific tendonitis can make daily activities painful and frustrating, but relief is possible. Shockwave therapy offers a proven, non-invasive way to break down calcium deposits, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility—all without the risks and downtime associated with surgery. At Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation, we offer shockwave therapy for calcific tendonitis, providing effective, evidence-based treatment to help you regain comfort and function. If you’re struggling with persistent tendon pain, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward lasting relief!
