Calcifying tendonitis of the gastrocnemius. A report of three cases.

We describe the clinical features of calcifying tendonitis in the medial head of gastrocnemius in three elderly female patients. The presenting symptom was chronic pain in the posteromedial area of the knee in two patients and acute pain in the back of the knee in one. All had limitation of movement of the knee and marked tenderness in the region of the tendinous origin of the medial head of gastrocnemius with posterior knee pain induced by stretching the tendon. An injection of 1% lidocaine and steroid into the tendon resulted in temporary relief from pain and improved movement.