Original Article
Results of Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasties in Patients with Synovial Chondromatosis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2007.06.014Get rights and content

Abstract

This retrospective analysis examines the outcome of total joint arthroplasty for severe arthritis in patients with synovial chondromatosis. All 11 patients treated with total hip arthroplasty (n = 7) or total knee arthroplasty (n = 4) returned for follow-up at a mean of 10.8 years after surgery. Pain and functional scores improved significantly in all patients. Knee range of motion improved in all patients. Synovial chondromatosis recurred in 1 knee (25%) and 1 hip (14%). Total joint arthroplasty is a valuable treatment option for these patients with predictable improvement in pain and function. Knee range of motion is likely to improve but may be less than expected for primary total knee arthroplasty. Patients remain at risk for recurrence.

Section snippets

Materials and Methods

Eleven patients diagnosed with synovial chondromatosis underwent THA (n = 7) or TKA (n = 4) at our institution between 1970 and 2006. All diagnoses of synovial chondromatosis were confirmed at the time of TKA or THA or during previous surgery for treatment of synovial chondromatosis by gross or microscopic pathology. The patients were identified using our hospital's computer database. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Harris hip scores were calculated preoperatively and at the most

Results

Four knees in 4 patients with synovial chondromatosis were treated with a synovectomy and a posterior stabilized TKA. This group included 3 men and 1 woman with a mean age of 62 years and mean weight of 85 kg at the time of surgery. The mean interval from the time of diagnosis to TKA was 7 years (range, 1-18 years). All patients had a history of previous surgical procedures on the affected knee (mean, 3.5; range, 2-6). One patient had an open biopsy; the remainder of the preindex TKA procedures

Discussion

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, usually benign condition of the synovial lining of joints, bursae, or tendon sheaths, which results in cartilage formation within the synovium. The disease occurs in men almost twice as frequently as in women and usually presents in the third to fifth decade of life. The typical monoarticular process most commonly affects the knee, hip, ankle, and elbow in decreasing order of frequency [1]. Although the intra-articular variety is more common, extra-articular

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    No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

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