Successful treatment of infraspinatus tendon-bursa ossification in a Labrador retriever

This case report describes the successful surgical treatment of a young (3-year-old) male Labrador retriever dog with mineralization of the tendon and bursa of the infraspinatus muscle. The condition was diagnosed via physical and orthopedic examination in addition to computed tomographic imaging. The dog underwent medical treatment involving rest, controlled exercise, deracoxib, shockwave therapy, and intra-articular glucocorticoid injections without success before surgical correction. Surgical treatment involved resection of the mineralized material and tenectomy of the infraspinatus insertion on the proximal humerus. The dog's lameness and pain resolved completely after surgery and the dog continues to experience no lameness or pain 7 mo post-surgery. Key clinical message: The successful surgical treatment of mineralization of the tendon and bursa of the infraspinatus muscle in a dog is described. The diagnostic approach, treatment, and clinical outcome are detailed to provide a reference for the potential treatment of future cases.