Abstract: Objective To summarize the clinical diagnosis and treatment and pathological features of a case with recurrent subacromial rice body bursitis, combined with literature review, and to raise understanding of the disease. Methods A middle-aged female was admitted, who had received arthroscopic surgery on the right shoulder for "synovial chondroma of the right shoulder joint" in another hospital 1 year ago, and suffered from recurrence of swelling and pain in the right shoulder joint for more than 1 month. After physical examination, MRI, and rheumatoid factor assays, the preliminary diagnosis was recurrent synovial chondromatosis of the right shoulder joint. Subsequently,arthroscopic synovectomy and loose body removal were performed. Results The patient's postoperative swelling and pain disappeared, and the range of motion of the right shoulder joint is recovered. Postoperative pathological reports indicated chronic bursitis and fibrous structured loose bodies, leading to the final diagnosis of recurrent subacromial rice body bursitis. Conclusion The pathogenesis of subacromial rice body bursitis remains unclear, and the diagnosis is predominantly reliant on MRI, arthroscopic assessment, and histopathological examination. Arthroscopic surgery is an effective therapeutic approach, with comprehensive debridement and subsequent follow-up essential to prevent recurrence.

Key words: Subacromial bursitis, Rice body, Arthroscopy, Pathological feature