Shoulder: calcific tendinitis: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Orthopaedics · Shoulder: calcific tendinitis

Sample item

A 45-year-old woman has sudden severe shoulder pain, and a radiograph shows a dense calcific deposit above the greater tuberosity. Which tendon is most often involved?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Supraspinatus

Calcific tendinitis is deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite in the rotator cuff, most often in the supraspinatus near its insertion, and causes acute severe pain during the resorptive phase. Treatment includes NSAIDs, steroid injection, needling and extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

Option by option

  • A. Long head of biceps

    The biceps long head is not the usual site.

  • B. Supraspinatus (correct)

    Correct. The supraspinatus is the usual site.

  • C. Teres major

    Teres major is not a cuff muscle.

  • D. Subscapularis

    The subscapularis is less often involved.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is B, Supraspinatus. Calcific tendinitis is deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite in the rotator cuff, most often in the supraspinatus near its insertion, and causes acute severe pain during the resorptive phase.

Why is "Long head of biceps" not the answer?

The biceps long head is not the usual site.

Why is "Teres major" not the answer?

Teres major is not a cuff muscle.

Why is "Subscapularis" not the answer?

The subscapularis is less often involved.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Shoulder: calcific tendinitis in Orthopaedics. Treatment includes NSAIDs, steroid injection, needling and extracorporeal shock wave therapy.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Shoulder: calcific tendinitis?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.