What should you know about rectus femoris calcific tendinitis?

Rectus femoris calcific tendinitis is irritation around a calcium deposit in the tendon that helps lift the hip and straighten the knee. Pain may increase with running, kicking, climbing stairs or raising the thigh. A clinician may use an examination and imaging to distinguish it from a muscle injury, hip-joint problem or referred pain.

The rectus femoris is one of the quadriceps muscles. Its tendon can become painful when calcium collects within or near the tendon and surrounding tissues become inflamed. Symptoms can include focused pain at the front of the hip or upper thigh, stiffness, tenderness and reduced strength. The presence of this condition explains a possible source of symptoms; it does not mean every episode of hip or thigh pain has the same cause.

Assessment may include checking walking, hip movement, knee strength and pain during resisted lifting. X-ray or ultrasound can help locate a deposit, while other scans may be considered when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Temporarily reduce movements that reproduce sharp pain, while keeping gentle comfortable movement. Ice or another clinician-approved comfort measure may help. Treatment can include graded physiotherapy to restore hip and thigh strength, movement control and activity tolerance. Shockwave therapy or an injection may be discussed in selected cases; persistent symptoms sometimes lead to a surgical opinion.

Arrange an assessment if pain persists, limits walking or repeatedly returns. Seek urgent care after a major injury if you cannot bear weight, the leg looks deformed, or swelling and weakness appear suddenly. Fever, redness, warmth or feeling acutely unwell with severe pain also needs prompt medical attention.

Ask where the deposit is located, whether imaging is needed, which activities to pause, and how progress will be measured. You can also ask when physiotherapy should begin, whether an injection or shockwave therapy fits your situation, and what would make an operation worth considering.