An Unusual Presentation of Subscapularis Tendon Calcific Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tendons are predisposed to calcific tendonitis and may present in single or multiple tendons. Despite the existence of several treatment strategies that have been proposed, clinical outcomes are controversial. Our study aims to report a case of large subscapularis tendon calcific tendonitis that was refractory to non-operative management and to investigate the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and treatment outcomes. A 42-year-old male patient presented to us for the first time complaining of right shoulder pain and weakness for 18 months with no improvement with non-operative treatment. Shoulder radiographs showed calcific tendonitis of the supraspinatus tendon. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a larger calcific deposit with low signal intensity on all sequences within the subscapularis, along with smaller calcific deposition within the supraspinatus tendon. The patient underwent right shoulder arthroscopic debridement of calcific tendonitis and has shown an improved range of motion and pain at postoperative follow-up. Considering arthroscopic debridement for calcific tendonitis that is refractory to non-operative treatment is an effective and safe intervention in relieving patient pain and improving function and quality of life.