Calcific tendinopathy presents calcific deposits in specific tendons. It is also known as calcifying tendinitis, periarticular apatite deposition disease, or calcifying periarticulitis. Calcific tendinopathy of the gluteus medius has been sporadically reported. It usually causes pain in the lateral aspect of the hip which may simulate lumbar radiculopathy (pain originating from the lower back).

Few cases of calcific tendinopathy in the gluteus medius tendon have been reported. Calcific tendinopathy in the gluteus medius tendon presenting as lateral hip pain may be misdiagnosed as lumbar radiculopathy. Because the iliotibial tract and the lumbar dermatomes overlap anatomically, symptoms of calcific tendinopathy in the gluteus medius tendon may mimic lumbar radiculopathy symptoms.  Awareness of both entities and a detailed history and physical examination can help differentiate the two diseases. Pain originating from the greater trochanter does not extend distal to the proximal tibia, whereas pain originating from true nerve root irritation extends into the lower leg and foot. In addition, patients with lumbar radiculopathy do not have reproduction of pain with pressure over the greater trochanter.

Calcific tendinopathy is usually easily diagnosed based on clinical suspicion and typical radiographic or ultrasonographic findings. Additional computed tomography or MRI can help in some instances. High-resolution ultrasonography has great potential in investigating the morphology of calcified deposits. Calcific tendinopathy is usually a self-limiting condition. Most patients can be treated with conservative treatments including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. When these treatments fail, minimally invasive treatments such as shockwave therapy are indicated before surgery. Different modalities have been suggested for calcific tendinopathy in the gluteus medius.

Conservative management such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has shown favourable outcomes. Arthroscopic excision of calcific debris has been used for intractable cases. Unusual treatment methods such as an endoscopic approach, acupuncture, and small needle scalpel therapy have been successfully used to treat calcific tendinopathy of the gluteus medius. Calcific tendinitis is caused by the deposit of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in periarticular muscle attachments. It has been reported at different anatomical sites.

Calcification with trochanteric bursitis is well described, while gluteus medius calcific tendinitis is an uncommon and sporadically reported clinical condition. Clinically, it usually presents with pain and tenderness around the hip, with limitation of movement. Many patients with calcification around the hip present with chronic hip pain. The treatment usually involves analgesia, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local steroid injections. For chronic cases, arthroscopic surgery is recommended and acupuncture with small scalpel needling can help to treat the calcific tendinitis of the gluteus medius, as was recently reported.