Show Cause Arthritis s Does Calcium Is arthritis caused by calcium calcium cal cal- in the joints No There are arc many kinds of arthritis but mos most are due either to inflammation in in- of the structures that make up the he joint or to destructive changes which interfere interfere in in- with the stability or orthe the he smooth function of the joint or sometimes to a combination com com- combination of these Calcium may also settle into some tissues undergoing degeneration degeneration de de- de generation and is commonly seen for example in old scars of tuberculosis Similarly when tendons and ligaments fray with age they undergo degenerative changes which may attract deposits of calcium in them This is most commonly seen about the shoulder joint where certain tendons are particularly vulnerable wl- wl because of the very free range of motion in this joint foint As As the rough fibres of the tendons degenerate fluid and ann cement substances accumulate accumulate in the injured area causing swelling increased tension and pain The inflammatory matory Y reaction usually involves involves involves' in in- the slippery double membrane bursa that allows the tendon to move easily under under un un- un der the bond that forms the top of the shoulder Hence this common condition condition con con- is often known as bursitis bursitis bursitis bur- bur of the shoulder or sub sub- acro bursi bursitis is The presence of pain depends de upon the pres presence nce of swelling tension and inflammation inflammation mation not upon the deposit of calcium Calcium is often seen een by ray X-ray ray in degenerated tendons that are not painful usually as a hard flake If seen in acutely painful shoulders shoulders ders it may show as a soft oft cloud being dispersed by the fluid and other materials in inthe inthe inthe the swelling The calcium it itself it self is not irritating and contributes contributes con con- tributes to the pain only by adding volume to the tendon From the point of view of treatment the common belief beHeE that tissue can be protected protect from the imagined consequence ce of too much calcium or too much acid or to little lubricating oil by varying the diet is fallacious as the chemical structure of the body fluids is jealously guarded by bya a great number of powerful compensating mechanisms easily able to adjust to all but the most extreme variations in intake |