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- When Rest Isn’t Enough: CT-Guided Surgery Resolves Rare Infraspinatus Ossification in Dog
When Rest Isn’t Enough: CT-Guided Surgery Resolves Rare Infraspinatus Ossification in Dog
Canadian Veterinary Journal, 2025
Obi Veterinary Education
November 21, 2025
Sophie Cormillot, Colin Sereda
Background
Infraspinatus tendon-bursa ossification is a rare cause of forelimb lameness in dogs, particularly Labrador Retrievers. The condition mimics other soft-tissue shoulder pathologies and is difficult to diagnose based on physical examination alone. This case report describes diagnostic imaging, medical management, and surgical treatment of infraspinatus tendon and bursa mineralization in a young dog, highlighting the role of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosis and confirming the effectiveness of surgical intervention.
Methods
A 3-year-old male working Labrador Retriever presented with persistent right forelimb lameness. Orthopedic exam identified pain during glenohumeral joint flexion and proximal humerus palpation. Initial medical management included NSAIDs, intra-articular corticosteroid injections, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy, all with transient or no improvement. Diagnostic imaging with CT identified marked mineralization of the infraspinatus tendon. The dog subsequently underwent shoulder arthroscopy (revealing no intra-articular pathology) followed by open surgical excision of the mineralized tendon and partial tenectomy of the infraspinatus.
Results
CT confirmed irregular mineralization at the musculotendinous junction of the infraspinatus. Despite conservative management, lameness persisted. Surgical excision of the mineralized tissue and the distal 2 cm of tendon resulted in full resolution of clinical signs. The dog resumed normal activity within weeks and remained sound 14 months post-surgery. The surgical approach was well-tolerated, and the dog maintained full shoulder function.
Limitations
Histopathological evaluation of the excised tissue was not performed, preventing confirmation of the exact pathological nature of the mineralization. The case describes a single dog, and broader application of findings requires further clinical data.
Conclusions
CT imaging proved valuable in diagnosing infraspinatus tendon-bursa ossification. While medical management provided minimal relief, surgical resection resulted in complete and lasting resolution. This case reinforces the importance of advanced imaging in unclear shoulder lameness and supports surgical intervention for refractory cases of infraspinatus ossification in dogs.
A — A 3D computed tomographic (CT) reconstruction from the forelimb of the dog, demonstrating irregular mineralization
overlying the lateral aspect of the right shoulder joint. The lesion is immediately cranioventral to the acromion and within the
musculotendinous junction of the infraspinatus muscle. B — A sagittal CT image of the affected shoulder. The red arrow represents
mineralization within the infraspinatus tendon. C — An axial CT image of the affected shoulder. The red circle indicates the muscle/
tendon junction of the infraspinatus and the blue circle indicates the supraspinatus muscle/tendon interface.
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