Treatment of acute calcific tendinopathy of the hip using focused shockwave

Calcific tendinopathy (CT) is a painful condition characterised by the formation of deposits of calcium hydroxyapatite within tendon insertions. This most often occurs in the shoulder but may occur at other sites such as the gluteus medius or minimus tendons. While extracorporeal shockwave treatment has been used in the management of shoulder CT, limited data exist for CT of the hip. Here we describe a man who developed sudden onset of right gluteal/posterior thigh pain. Imaging revealed prominent CT at the insertion of the gluteus maximus at the linea aspera. He was treated with focused shockwave; treatments were administered once per week for 5 weeks with significant improvement in symptoms of pain and function. Repeat imaging obtained 1 month after completion of shockwave showed resolution of previously noted calcium hydroxyapatite.