Acute calcific tendinitis of the wrist

Acute calcific tendinitis, a benign and self-limiting inflammatory condition commonly seen in the shoulder, is also described in many other tendons, including those in the hand and wrist. When involving the wrist, acute calcific tendinitis is often misdiagnosed and mistaken for infection.

We present this case to increase familiarity with this condition to avoid errors in diagnosis resulting in inappropriate treatment with antibiotics or even surgery.

A 27-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with a 2-week history of volar wrist pain, with sudden increase in pain associated with chills and new onset swelling and redness of the wrist. Plain radiographs showed characteristic soft-tissue calcification overlying the insertion of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon into the wrist. Treatment with ibuprofen and splinting resulted in complete symptom resolution.

Acute calcific tendinitis is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of acute wrist pain. Radiographs are helpful in confirming the diagnosis when symptoms and examination findings are characteristic.