Calcific Tendonitis of the Elbow in an Adult – A Case Report and Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION: Calcific tendonitis occurs most commonly in the shoulder, and it is a rare entity in other parts including the elbow. We report a symptomatic case of calcific tendonitis of common extensor origin of the non-dominant elbow in a young female. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old female (right hand dominant) presented with the left elbow pain for the past 1 year. The diagnosis was achieved by radiography and confirmed by histopathology. Her pain did not respond to conservative treatment of analgesics, physiotherapy, and elbow support and a local steroid injection. She, therefore, underwent surgical exploration of the elbow, under general anesthesia. There was white-colored paste like a collection within the common extensor tendon origin, with dystrophic calcification of the tendon. The histology of the excised tissue revealed focal nodular aggregates of plump fibroblasts and osteoclastic giant cells around microcalcific foci. Large areas of fibrosis and calcific nodular deposits seen suggestive of calcific tendonitis. CONCLUSION: Calcific tendonitis is not a common condition around elbow joint. The diagnosis may be delayed due to its rarity. Hence, a high degree of suspicion in the absence of trauma, along with relevant investigations, leads to a definitive diagnosis and treatment. A review of literature also becomes important since it is not a day-to-day case.