Calcific tendinitis of an extensor tendon misdiagnosed as stenosing tenosynovitis: A case report

Calcific tendonitis refers to the pathological deposition of calcium salts in or around tendons, leading to local inflammation and pain. It is commonly seen in the shoulder region, and occurrences in the wrist or hand are uncommon. This case report aims to describe a patient with calcific tendonitis of the wrist extensor tendons and to highlight the successful use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) as a treatment.

Calcific Tendonitis of Extensor Tendons was diagnosed both via X-ray and Computed Tomography (CT) and was successfully treated with shockwave.

After the shockwave treatment, the patient experienced significant improvement in symptoms. Key outcomes included: Immediate Relief: The patient reported a marked reduction in wrist pain right after the ESWT session, with improved ability to move the wrist without discomfort. Continued Improvement: Over the subsequent weeks, her pain continued to diminish and wrist function steadily returned to normal. There were no episodes of recurring pain or swelling during the recovery period. Follow-Up Outcomes: At the 2-month follow-up, the patient was completely pain-free and had full range of motion in the affected wrist. A follow-up X-ray showed that the calcific deposit was no longer evident. Importantly, there were no signs of any complications such as local tissue damage or fractures on the imaging evaluation, confirming the effectiveness of the treatment.

This case illustrates that extracorporeal shockwave therapy can be a highly effective treatment for calcific tendonitis before resorting to invasive measures, even at an unusual site like the wrist extensors.