Acute Calcific Periarthritis of the Hand: A Case Report in an Active Duty Soldier

Abstract

Acute calcific periarthritis of the hand is a condition that can easily be misdiagnosed resulting in unnecessary diagnostic studies and treatment. The condition is thought to be benign with a self-resolving course. The author presents a case of an active duty 29-year-old male who presented to a military emergency department with severe atraumatic hand pain developing overnight with initial concern for flexor tenosynovitis. Following orthopedic consultation, he was determined to have acute calcific periarthritis of the small finger (metacarpophalangeal) MCP joint with resolution over approximately 3 weeks without recurrence over a 5-month period. This case report reviews the natural history of acute calcific deposits of the hand and its correct identification through clinical exam and plain radiographs to avoid unnecessary diagnostic testing and invasive surgical interventions.