Acute Atraumatic Thumb Pain

Introduction: Painter first described painful periarticular soft-tissue calcium deposits in 1907. Further research has led to a variety of nomenclature, including calcareous tendinitis, pseudopodagra, and rheumatism. This report details the journey of a patient with acute calcific periarthritis (ACP) and explores issues concerning diagnosis, management, and provides possible preventative strategies.

Case report: A 39-year-old female presented to the emergency department after developing severe thumb metacarpophalangeal joint pain and swelling in her right dominant hand. A slight pain over the radial aspect of the first metacarpal was noticed 5 months before her acute hospital attendance.

Conclusion: ACP of the thumb is commonly misdiagnosed due to its comparably low prevalence and clinical features which mimic more common conditions. Our case highlights the need for radiological imaging in patients with acute atraumatic thumb pain and evidence of a connection between chronic behavioral patterns and the development of ACP.