
Q I have calcific tendinitis in my shoulder, and it feels like my shoulder is stiffening. Does frozen shoulder occur at the same time?
A Yes, if calcific tendinitis is left untreated or if the shoulder is not used for a long time due to acute pain, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) develops secondarily quite frequently. Since the treatment period is longer when both conditions coexist, it is important to start treatment early to maintain the shoulder's range of motion. If shoulder movement is restricted, you should also check for the presence of frozen shoulder.
Detailed Answer
The co-occurrence of calcific tendinitis and adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is frequently observed in clinical practice. If the shoulder is not moved for weeks to months due to severe pain, the joint capsule contracts and adhesions form, leading to frozen shoulder. Conversely, calcification can also occur when blood flow to the shoulder is reduced while frozen shoulder is present. When both conditions coexist, the treatment period is extended because not only the pain but also the limited range of motion must be treated. If you experience a sensation of stiffness in your shoulder even after the acute phase of calcific tendinitis, you must seek treatment immediately to prevent the progression of adhesions. From the perspective of a Korean medicine clinic, both frozen shoulder (shoulder pain) and calcific tendinitis originate from a pathology where stagnant blood and sticky waste products block the qi and blood pathways in the shoulder. In calcific tendinitis, as the adhesion of waste products progresses, they spread throughout the membrane surrounding the joint, forming the adhesive state characteristic of frozen shoulder. At Dongjedang, when these two conditions coexist, we implement a complex treatment that simultaneously releases calcific adhesions and joint capsule adhesions using thick needles, while promoting joint tissue regeneration through thread embedding and bee venom acupuncture. We also prevent the recurrence of both conditions by improving the body's waste environment with herbal medicine tailored to your constitution.
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