Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendon Treated with Lavage and Steroid Injection: A Case Report

Acute calcific tendinitis (ACT) is a relatively uncommon disorder that can involve the hand and wrist. ACT is frequently misdiagnosed due to a lack of familiarity with the condition and the clinical presentation that can be confused with other conditions. We report a case of acute calcific tendinitis of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) tendon in a 68-year-old woman. She presented with acute left volar wrist pain, erythema, swelling, and restricted range of motion. Due to her inability to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral prednisone, she was treated with lavage and steroid injection of the calcified mass. Following the injection, there was dramatic improvement in her symptoms. Cortisone injection with lavage is an accepted treatment for rotator cuff calcific tendinitis and is another treatment option for ACT involving the hand and wrist.