A man goes to stretch and ends up feeling a sharp pain in his arm, it was a calcium deposit rupture caused by a rare condition known as calcific tendonitis.
A Rare and Shocking Medical Incident
A routine stretch turned into a nightmare for 67-year-old Robert Henderson when he suddenly felt an intense, stabbing pain shoot through his right arm. What he initially thought was a simple muscle cramp revealed something much more serious: a ruptured calcium deposit inside his tendon, a complication of calcific tendonitis.
Doctors explained that calcific tendonitis occurs when calcium builds up in the tendons, commonly around the shoulders, but in rare cases, it can affect the arms. These deposits can remain unnoticed for years until a sudden movement—like Robert’s casual stretch—causes them to rupture. The result? Severe pain, inflammation, and the appearance of strange, bulging shapes under the skin, as the leaked calcium creates hard lumps that look alarming.
Robert was rushed to the emergency room, where X-rays confirmed the presence of multiple calcific deposits along his arm. Surgeons performed a minor procedure to clean out the leaked calcium and repair the damaged tissue. While the condition is not life-threatening, untreated cases can lead to chronic pain and restricted movement.
Doctors warn that early symptoms—persistent stiffness, mild pain, or unusual hard spots—should never be ignored. Staying hydrated, maintaining healthy calcium levels, and regular checkups can reduce the risk. Robert is now recovering and sharing his story as a cautionary tale: “Don’t ignore small pains. They might be hiding something bigger.”