Calcific tendinopathy refers to calcification within which tissue?

• A. Bone
• B. Ligament
• C. Tendon
• D. Muscle

Answer: (C)

Calcific tendinopathy means calcium deposits form inside a tendon. The classic setting is the rotator cuff, especially the supraspinatus tendon, where hydroxyapatite crystals accumulate in the tendon’s collagen matrix. This tissue-specific deposition explains why the problem is described as a tendinopathy rather than a bone, ligament, or muscle issue. The calcium in these tendons can provoke pain as the body responds to and remodels the deposit, often going through phases of formation and resorption. On imaging, you’d look for calcific deposits located within the tendon itself, not in the bone. In contrast, calcifications in bone would reflect bone-related processes, and while ligaments can calcify, it’s not the typical presentation of calcific tendinopathy; muscle calcifications point to different conditions.