Calcific tendinitis of rectus femoris

Article information

Clin Exp Emerg Med. 2022;9(2):160-161

Publication date (electronic) : 2022 June 30

doi : https://doi.org/10.15441/ceem.21.077

Akira Kuriyama

Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Japan

Correspondence to: Akira Kuriyama Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kurashiki Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Miwa, Kurashiki 710-8602, Japan E-mail: akira.kuriyama.jpn@gmail.com

Received 2021 April 20; Accepted 2021 June 28.

A previously healthy 54-year-old female patient presented with acute onset difficulty walking. She reported gradually worsening, severe pain in the right groin that was aggravated with hip flexion. She denied any recent injury or excessive loading. Physical examination revealed localized tenderness at the right anterior inferior iliac spine and a painful snapping hip. Blood examination revealed mildly elevated C-reactive protein (0.94 mg/dL; normal, <0.30 mg/dL). Radiography showed calcifications near the right anterior inferior iliac spine (Fig. 1). Computed tomography showed calcific deposits within the direct head of the right rectus femoris, which corresponded to the location of pain (Fig. 2). This confirmed the diagnosis of calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris.

Fig. 1.

Radiography revealed calcifications near the right anterior inferior iliac spine (arrow).

Fig. 2.

Computed tomography showed calcific deposits within the direct head of the right rectus femoris (arrows) on (A) sagittal and (B) axial view.

Calcific tendinitis can involve either the direct or indirect head of the rectus femoris. Direct head tendinitis is rare and presents with a gradual onset of a painful snapping hip, while indirect head tendinitis causes acute restriction of joint movement [1]. Thus, emergency physicians need to know that, although rare, calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris can be one of the etiologies of sudden-onset difficulty walking. Calcific tendinitis of the rectus femoris can be self-limiting, but nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs provide quick symptomatic relief [1-3]. Aspiration, lavage, and local corticosteroids or anesthetics may be needed in refractory cases [1-3]. For this patient, the symptoms completely resolved within two days of loxoprofen administration. Written informed consent for publication of the research details and clinical images was obtained from the patient.