clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

Patients are usually young adults in their second or third decade, and more commonly women, than men.

The patient complains of an aching in the shoulder that rapidly becomes intensely painful over a period of several hours. The arm is usually held immobile and the shoulder joint is too painful to allow movement or palpation.

The pain usually subsides after a few days and gradually, the shoulder returns to normal.

Radiographs may show calcification within the tendon, above the greater tuberosity, which disappears as the pain subsides.