Calcium deposits are small buildups of calcium which can occur anywhere in the body, although they are especially common in the shoulder. The cause of calcium buildups is not fully understood, although doctors have come up with some theories, ranging from stress to vitamin deficiencies. Many of these deposits require no medical treatment, and in some cases they may even reabsorb back into the body. In some situations, however, it may be necessary to pursue treatment to deal with a calcium deposit.
These formations start out small and soft, growing and hardening slowly over time. People often notice calcium deposits because they grow large and hard enough to be felt through the skin, or because they put stress on surrounding tendons and muscles. The area around the calcification may also become inflamed as a result of irritation, causing the region to feel hot and sore. A large deposit can restrict freedom of movement by making it hard for someone to move a tendon or muscle comfortably.
If a calcium deposit begins to cause inflammation, injections of cortisone may be used at the site to bring the swelling down. Using ice packs to bring down swelling and inflammation can be recommended to help the patient cope with the pain caused by the buildup of calcium. If these measures do not work, or the patient experiences profound discomfort, it may be necessary to use surgery to take the calcium out of the affected area. The deposits do not usually regrow after removal.
Occasionally, calcium deposits develop in places which could be potentially dangerous or problematic. These deposits may interfere with the function of the body, or cause permanent damage as a result of straining or damaging surrounding soft tissue. In these situations, patients are usually advised to have surgery to remove the calcification, and the doctor may recommend additional follow up treatment to monitor the area for signs of recurrence, and to check for damage which may have been left behind.
Women appear to be more at risk for calcium deposits, and they are commonly associated with osteoporosis and aging. Because the cause of these formations is not fully understood, it is difficult to establish guidelines for people who want to prevent the formation of calcifications. However, eating a balanced diet and ensuring that the bones are supported with sufficient calcium and other minerals may help, and it certainly cannot hurt.
What Do Calcium Deposits Look Like?
Calcium deposits form in different areas of the body. Some are noticeable on the body's exterior, while others are only visible during surgery.
- Under the Skin – Small white or yellow bumps under the top layer of skin are calcinosis cutis. This slow build-up of calcium creates small lumps under the skin. Chronic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma could contribute to this condition. These diseases cause cells to die and release protein that binds with phosphate, forming the lumps. The bumps often appear on the face, knees, elbows, and fingers.
- On Tendons – Calcium deposits on the tendons are not always visible to the naked eye. Doctors use X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound images to better view the problem. The most common area where calcium builds up is in the shoulder, but deposits also form in the feet, hands, knees, hips, elbows, and wrists. On an X-ray, calcification is brighter than internal organs but not as prominent as bone. When surgeons remove the calcification, it may look dry similar to chalk dust or toothpaste.
- In the Kidneys – When calcium builds up in the kidney, it can cause kidney stones. While these stones show up on X-rays or CT scans, kidney stones also pass through the bladder and might be large enough to see. A kidney stone looks like a small brown or cream-colored pebble.
- In the Breasts – A mammogram is similar to an X-ray that scans the inside breast tissue. Calcium deposits usually appear on a mammogram as small white dots, tiny white specks or large white dots.
- In blood vessels – Calcium can build up in the blood vessels in the heart and brain. This accumulation could block the normal flow of blood to these vital organs. Doctors use CT scans to detect and measure the amount of calcium in the vessels. Calcium appears as bright white areas within the soft tissues. When a doctor removes the plaque, it seems similar in color to the kidneys stones but shaped like the vessel the surgeon removed it from.
Do Patients Know How To Remove Calcium Deposits From Arteries Naturally?
Some people may not realize that lifestyle changes are an effective way to decrease calcium deposits in the body. Some modifications that have proved successful are:
- Limit salt consumption in food. High levels of sodium may cause increased blood pressure. This condition makes blood vessels weak and more susceptible to calcium build-up.
- Increase the number of green vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. These foods have high levels of vitamin K, which could prevent calcium deposition in the arteries.
- Stop smoking
- Exercise burns fat and helps keep too much from staying in the blood for a long time, leading to plaque blockages.
- Eat more unsaturated fats, such as fatty fish, walnuts, and avocados. These fats increase the good cholesterol, or HDL, which helps counteract the bad cholesterol and prevent plaque and calcium build-up.
What Dissolves Calcium Deposits in the Body?
Doctors have various treatment options when patients want to remove calcium deposits from their bodies without surgery. One option is to use medications to help dissolve the hardened calcium. Some common drugs that might help are antacids, warfarin, calcium channel blockers, and corticosteroids.
Other treatment options may be available for patients who want to stay away from pharmaceuticals. Both laser therapy and electric iontophoresis can break apart calcium deposits. Doctors can also use sound waves to break up the stone painlessly, so your body reabsorbs it.
What Surgical Options Remove Calcium Deposits?
When other treatment options don’t remove the calcium deposit, patients may need to consider surgery. Doctors can remove a small skin deposit with a needle. They numb the area first, then use a needle to suck the calcium out.
A process called debridement is an arthroscopic surgery used for more extensive deposits on bones and tendons. Under general anesthesia, a surgeon cuts into the area surrounding the deposit and expresses out the calcium.
When calcium builds up in the heart’s arteries, blood doesn’t flow efficiently. Doctors can use a small catheter placed in the artery to break the blockage. A doctor often puts a stent into the artery to help keep it open.
Bypass surgery is often the last resort, as it is more invasive than other procedures. Doctors take healthy arteries from the leg and insert them into the heart as a way for blood to bypass the blocked or weakened heart artery. This makes a more efficient route for blood to pump through the heart.
