Calcific tendonitis of the gluteus maximus tendon: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Calcific tendonitis of gluteus maximus tendon is unusual and only few cases have been reported. A case of calcific tendonitis of gluteus maximus is presented here. A 46 year old female patient with a history of local pain over trochanteric area and radiating along the sciatic nerve. The x-ray showed amorphous calcification around the posterolateral aspect of the proximal femoral shaft, in the vicinity of the linea aspara. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the location of calcification over posterolateral aspect of the proximal femoral shaft, in the vicinity of the linea aspera with minimal fluid collection deep to tensor fascia lata and in intermuscular plane between gluteus maximus and medius, which is highly suggestive of calcific tendonitis at this unusual location. Ossifying enthesis with well defined cortical defect are frequent at the femoral insertion of the gluteus maximus muscle in asymptomatic subjects which must be differentiated from real cortical lesion sometimes associated with these calcific tendonitis.

Keywords

• Calcific tendonitis
• gluteus maximus
• magnetic resonance imaging