Acute calcareous tendinitis of the shoulder in a preadolescent

This paper discusses the case report of a 7-year-old white female who presented with acute onset of left shoulder pain. No history of trauma or overuse could be elicited. Physical examination and radiographs confirmed the diagnosis of calcific tendinitis of the subscapularis muscle. Because of continued severe symptoms, the patient underwent surgical decompression of the involved shoulder with complete resolution of symptoms. A search of the literature failed to confirm one documented case of calcific tendinitis in the immature skeleton. A discussion as to the etiology of calcific tendinitis and/or bursitis as it relates to this case is presented.