Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Calcifying tendinitis, an active cell-mediated calcification

  • Published:
Virchows Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Biopsy specimen from 18 patients suffering from calcifying tendinitis were stained with different histologic and histochemical techniques. The results of these examinations seem to indicate that we are not dealing with a dystrophic calcification, but with a cell-mediated calcification of a living tissue. The process resembles an incomplete endochondral ossification.

Zusammenfassung

Histologische und histochemische Untersuchungen der Supraspinatussehne von 18 Patienten mit calcifizierender Tendinitis. Der Verkalkungsprozeß wird eingeleitet durch eine Transformation der Tendinocyten in Chondrocyten begleitet von einer Anreicherung alkalischer Phosphatase. In einer zweiten Phase kommt es, unter Mitwirkung der Chondrocyten, zur granulären Verkalkung und gelegentlich auch zur Ossifikation vergleichbar der enchondralen Ossifikation. Für die Annahme einer dystrophischen Sehnenverkalkung ergeben sich keine Hinweise.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Codman, E. A.: The shoulder. Boston: Thomas Todd 1934

    Google Scholar 

  • Codman, E. A.: Rupture of the supraspinatus. Amer. J. Surg. 42, 603–626 (1938)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, R. E., Rideout, D. F.: Tear of the humeral rotator cuff. J. Bone Jt Surg. (Br.) 46, 314–328 (1964)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DeSèze, S., Welfling, J.: Tendinites calcifiantes. Rhumatologie 22, 5–14 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, M. S.: Calcified tendinitis of the shoulder. Amer. J. Surg. 95, 56–61 (1957)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabbiani, G., Tuchweber, B.: Studies of the mechanism of calcergy. Clin. Orthop. 69, 66–74 (1970)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glatthaar, E.: Zur Pathologie der Periarthritis humeroscapularis. Dtsch. Z. Chir. 251, 414–433 (1938-1939)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L.: Mineralization of the turkey leg tendon. I. Histology and histochemistry of mineralization. In: Calcification of biological systems, ed. R. F. Sognaes. American Ass. for Advancement of Science 64, 117, Washington, D.C. 1960

  • McLaughlin, H. L.: Lesions of the musculotendinous cuff of the shoulder. III. Observations on the pathology, course and treatment of calcific deposits. Ann. Surg. 125, 354–362 (1946)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, H. L.: The selection of calcium deposits for operation: The techniques and results of operation. Surg. Clin. N. Amer. 43, 1501–1504 (1963)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, H. F., Asherman, E. G.: Lesion of the musculotendinous cuff of the shoulder. IV. Some observation based upon the results of surgical repair. J. Bone Jt Surg. (Am.) A33, 76–86 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, A. W.: Chronic functional lesions of the shoulder. Arch. Surg. 35, 646–674 (1937)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moseley, H. F.: The vascular supply of the rotator cuff. Surg. Clin. N. Amer. 43, 1521–1522 (1963)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moseley, H. F., Goldie, I.: The arterial pattern of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. J. Bone Jt Surg. (Br.) B45, 780–789 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neer II, C. S.: Anterior acromioplasty for the chronic impingement syndrome in the shoulder. J. Bone Joint Surg. (Am.) A54, 41–50 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ollson, O.: Degenerative changes of the shoulder and their connection with shoulder pain. Acta chir. scand., Suppl. 181, 1–130 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, H. E., Key, J. A.: Pathology of calcareous tendinitis and subdeltoid bursitis. Arch. Surg. 62, 50–63 (1951)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rathbun, J. B., MacNab, I.: The microvascular pattern of the rotator cuff. J. Bone Jt Surg. (Br.) B52, 540–553 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandström, C., Wahlgren, F.: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der „Peritendinitis calcarea” (sogen. „Bursitis calculosa”) speziell vom pathologisch-histologischen Gesichtspunkt. Acta radiol. (Stockh.) 18, 261–296 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Salter, R.: Texbook of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaer, H.: Die Periarthritis humeroscapularis. Ergeb. Chir. Orthop. 29, 211–309 (1936)

    Google Scholar 

  • Selye, H., Berczi, I.: The present status of calciphylaxis and calcergy. Clin. Orthop. 69, 28–54 (1970)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Selye, H., Gentile, G., Veilleux, R.: An experimental model of calcareous subdeltoid bursitis induced by calciphylaxis. Arthritis and Rheum. 5, 219–225 (1962)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steinbrocker, O.: The painful shoulder. In: Arthritis and allied conditions, 8th edit., ed. J. E. Hollander. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Uhthoff, H. K.: The process of ossification of vertebral ligaments in experimental adjuvantinduced arthritis. In: Immune reactions and experimental models, ed. D. A. Duncan, p. 208–217. Toronto: University of Toronto Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Urist, M. R., De La Sierra, J., Strates, B. S.: The substratum for new bone formation in tendon. Clin. Orthop. 63, 210–221 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfgang, G. L.: Surgical repair of tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. J. Bone Jt Surg. (Am.) A56, 14–26 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrede, L.: Ueber Kalkablagerungen in der Umgebung des Schultergelenks und ihre Beziehungen zur Periarthritis scapulo-humeralis. Langenbecks Arch. klin. Chir. 99, 259–272 (1912)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Orthopaedics, Ottawa General Hospital, University of Ottawa, Canada

    Hans K. Uhthoff

Authors
  1. Hans K. Uhthoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Uhthoff, H.K. Calcifying tendinitis, an active cell-mediated calcification. Virchows Arch. A Path. Anat. and Histol. 366, 51–58 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00438677

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00438677

Key words

Search

Navigation