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Review
. 2025 Apr;17(2):121-129.
doi: 10.1177/17585732241244515. Epub 2024 Apr 2.

Clinical features in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: A scoping review

Federico Guido  1 , Davide Venturin  1 , Andrea De Santis  1 , Giuseppe Giovannico  1 , Fabrizio Brindisino  1
Affiliations
Review

Clinical features in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: A scoping review

Federico Guido et al. Shoulder Elbow. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: The main goal of this scoping review is to highlight the clinical features of subjects with rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy (RCCT), in order to identify and map this condition clinical criteria, and thus to be able to hypothesize such pathology before imaging investigations.

Methods: Four databases were consulted up to January 2023. The obtained results were reported following the PRISMA-ScR and the Joanna Briggs Institute reviewer's manual was used as guideline for conducting the review. No time and geographical restrictions were applied.

Results: A total of 851 records have been identified, with 50 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Subjects with RCCT mostly reported nightly, acute and severe pain with spontaneous onset. Symptoms were mostly unilateral. Subjects were mostly women aged between 30 and 60. Deficit in active and passive range of motion was reported, mainly during abduction and forward flexion. Endocrine and metabolic disorders were described as comorbidity, in particular diabetes and thyroid disorders.

Conclusion: In this scoping review, the most relevant RCCT clinical features were detected. These clinical criteria, predictive for shoulder RCCT, can be crucial to help all clinicians suspect this musculoskeletal disease early and with certainty, thus allowing for an appropriate and prompt diagnosis path.

Level of evidence: III.

Keywords: calcific tendinopathy; clinical features; scoping review; shoulder.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA 2020 flow diagram.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Clinical findings of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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