CALCIFIC TENDINITIS IN THE POSTERIOR PROXIMAL THIGH AS A SELF-LIMITEDCONDITION - PATHOGENIC ROLE OF INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES

Objective. Calcific tendinitis occurs rarely in the posterior proximal thigh. We investigated whether it is self-limited and how the natural course of the disease progresses. Methods. We treated 6 patients with no surgical intervention, and analyzed laboratory and radiological fi ndings in the followup period of more than one year (average followup, 2.5 yrs). Results. Although tendinitis was severe, rapid relief was o bserved within 2 weeks (average 5 days). Radiological features includi ng extraskeletal calcifications did not change within 2 weeks, and the n improved by 6 weeks. Four of 6 cases showed abnormal laboratory vari ables. All elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein lev els improved within one week with clinical resolution. In comparison w ith time course of the symptoms, changes in the radiological findings over time appeared not to be parallel with the clinical course, but la boratory progression appeared to correspond well with clinical resolut ion. Conclusion. Inflammatory responses to hydroxyapatite crystals may play a role in the pathogenesis of symptoms of calcific tendinitis in the posterior proximal thigh, most of which are self-limited.