What is the disease that causes calcium deposits?

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

While it's a common misconception that a single condition is the disease that causes calcium deposits, the truth is that several different illnesses can trigger this phenomenon. The buildup of calcium, known as calcification, occurs in various tissues for a multitude of reasons, from metabolic disorders to physical injury.

Quick Summary

Calcium deposits, or calcification, can be caused by various medical conditions, not a single disease. Causes range from chronic kidney disease and autoimmune disorders to injury and aging. The specific underlying cause determines the symptoms, location, and necessary treatment approach.

Key Points

Multiple Causes: Calcium deposits, or calcification, can result from numerous diseases, not just one, including kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and joint problems.
Calciphylaxis Warning: A rare but dangerous form of calcification, calciphylaxis, is strongly linked to end-stage kidney failure and can cause severe skin ulcers.
Joint and Tendon Issues: Conditions like calcific tendinitis (shoulder) and Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) disease (pseudogout) are common causes of calcification in joints.
Cardiovascular Risk: Calcification is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, where plaque hardens arteries and significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Underlying Problem: Treatment for calcification always focuses on addressing the specific underlying cause, rather than just the deposits themselves.

Understanding Calcification: The General Term

Calcification refers to the accumulation of calcium salts in soft body tissues, where they do not normally belong. While many associate calcium with strong bones, its presence in other areas like joints, arteries, or skin can signal an underlying health issue. Depending on the cause and location, calcification is classified into two main types: dystrophic and metastatic.

Dystrophic Calcification: This is the most common type and occurs in areas of damaged or dying tissue. The body's natural inflammatory response to injury, infection, or tumors can trigger the release of calcium, leading to hard deposits. This process happens even when blood calcium levels are normal.
Metastatic Calcification: This type is caused by elevated levels of calcium in the blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia. This excess calcium is then deposited into healthy, undamaged tissues and organs. Conditions affecting calcium metabolism, such as chronic kidney disease or hyperparathyroidism, are often to blame.

Key Diseases Linked to Calcium Deposits

Several specific diseases are known to cause pathological calcification. Pinpointing the correct one is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Calciphylaxis

One of the most severe and rare diseases causing calcium deposits is calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy.

Who it affects: The vast majority of people with this condition have end-stage kidney failure and are on dialysis.
What it does: Calcium accumulates in the small blood vessels of fat and skin tissues, leading to painful skin ulcers that are prone to severe infections.
Other risk factors: Other risk factors include diabetes, obesity, being female, and certain medications.

Calcific Tendinitis

This condition involves the formation of calcium deposits, primarily in the tendons of the shoulder's rotator cuff.

Primary symptom: The most common symptom is intense shoulder pain, which can be sudden and severe, often disrupting sleep.
Affected population: It most often affects people between 40 and 60 years old and is more common in women.
Cause: While the exact cause is unknown, experts suspect wear and tear, aging, and possibly autoimmune factors.

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition (CPPD) Disease

Commonly referred to as pseudogout, CPPD is a form of arthritis caused by the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the cartilage of joints.

Symptoms: This can lead to sudden, painful, and swollen joints, most often affecting the knees, wrists, and shoulders.
Who it affects: Like calcific tendinitis, CPPD is more prevalent in older adults and can be hereditary.

Atherosclerosis (Vascular Calcification)

Calcium deposits are a key feature of atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup.

Mechanism: Cholesterol, fatty substances, and calcium accumulate in arterial walls, forming plaque. As the plaque hardens, it can restrict blood flow and lead to serious cardiovascular problems.
Risk factors: Risk factors include high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and aging.

Nephrocalcinosis

This is a condition where calcium salts are deposited within the kidneys.

Key causes: It is typically caused by high levels of calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria) and is often associated with chronic kidney disease or metabolic disorders.
Result: It can potentially impair kidney function, although it may not cause symptoms in its early stages.

Calcinosis Cutis

This condition involves calcium deposits forming under the skin.

Appearance: The deposits appear as hard, white or yellow lumps and can occur anywhere on the body.
Associated with: Calcinosis cutis is sometimes linked to autoimmune diseases like dermatomyositis or scleroderma.

Comparing Key Calcification Disorders


Disease	Primary Location	Key Cause	Associated Conditions	Key Symptom
Calciphylaxis	Small blood vessels of skin/fat	End-stage kidney failure	Diabetes, obesity	Painful skin ulcers
Calcific Tendinitis	Tendons (especially shoulder)	Unknown, possibly wear & tear	Aging, repetitive motion	Severe joint pain
CPPD Disease	Joint cartilage	Calcium pyrophosphate crystals	Aging, metabolic disorders	Acute joint swelling/pain
Atherosclerosis	Arterial walls	Plaque buildup	High cholesterol, diabetes	Chest pain, shortness of breath
Nephrocalcinosis	Kidneys	High calcium levels	Chronic kidney disease	Often none, but kidney issues
Calcinosis Cutis	Skin	Autoimmune disease, injury	Scleroderma, lupus	Hard lumps under skin

Diagnostic Approach and Treatment Options

Diagnosing the cause of calcium deposits typically involves a combination of methods:

Imaging: X-rays and CT scans can effectively visualize and locate calcium deposits in bones, joints, and arteries.
Blood Tests: These tests can measure calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels to check for metabolic disorders.
Biopsy: In cases like calciphylaxis or calcinosis cutis, a skin biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Joint Fluid Analysis: For CPPD, a sample of joint fluid is examined for crystals.

Treatment is focused on managing the underlying cause, as there is often no way to simply dissolve the calcium deposits.

Medical Management: Depending on the condition, this may involve managing kidney disease, controlling diabetes, or taking anti-inflammatory medication for joint pain.
Medication: For calciphylaxis, medications like sodium thiosulfate can be used. In atherosclerosis, lifestyle changes and statins are key.
Physical Therapy: For conditions like calcific tendinitis, physical therapy can help improve joint function and reduce pain.
Procedures: For severe cases, procedures like aspiration (removing fluid from a joint) or surgery to remove deposits may be necessary.

For more information on the wide range of conditions that can cause calcium deposits, consult an authoritative source on the subject, such as the Cleveland Clinic website. Seeking professional medical advice is essential for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your specific situation.

Conclusion: A Complex Condition with Diverse Causes

Calcium deposits are not caused by a single disease but are a symptom that can manifest due to numerous underlying health issues. From metabolic imbalances seen in chronic kidney disease to the wear and tear on joints and the buildup of plaque in arteries, calcification has diverse origins. Understanding the different types and causes is the first step toward effective management and treatment. If you suspect you have calcification, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial to identify the root cause and determine the best course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is a common myth that a high-calcium diet directly causes calcium deposits in soft tissues. The root cause is typically an underlying medical condition, such as a metabolic disorder or inflammatory response, rather than dietary intake.

No, some calcifications are harmless and do not require treatment. For example, some breast calcifications found on mammograms are benign. However, others, like those in arteries, can be a sign of serious cardiovascular risk.

Treatment for calcification depends on its location and underlying cause. In many cases, it cannot be simply 'reversed.' Instead, treatment focuses on managing the primary condition, which can prevent new deposits and reduce associated symptoms.

Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged or necrotic tissue even with normal blood calcium levels, whereas metastatic calcification happens in healthy tissues due to abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood.

Yes, vascular calcification is a key indicator and risk factor for atherosclerosis, which can lead to serious cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke.

Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies, such as X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds, to locate the deposits. Blood tests may also be performed to check calcium, phosphate, and other relevant levels to identify an underlying metabolic issue.

Yes, physical therapy is often a successful non-surgical treatment for calcific tendinitis. It can help relieve pain, improve range of motion, and strengthen the muscles around the affected joint.