Total knee arthroplasty in severe synovial osteochondromatosis in an osteoarthritic knee

© 2016 by The Korean Orthopaedic Association.Synovial osteochondromatosis (SO) can occur idiopathic or secondary to osteoarthritis. SO can be easily diagnosed with plain film radiography and clinical findings. In case of disabling osteoarthritis, total knee arthroplasty and removal of all corpora libra are indicated. We present a 71-year-old woman with significant osteoarthritis and severe SO intra-articular and in the suprapatellar bursa of the right knee. Total knee arthroplasty, extraction of the loose bodies, and partial synovectomy were performed. During a 2.5-year follow-up, the patient regained full function of her affected knee and there was no recurrence of SO. We choose to present this case to show the extensiveness SO can occur in. Our advice is to remove all the loose bodies carefully to prevent damage to the prosthesis. During follow-up, special attention should be paid to prevent recurrence of SO. When recurrence is associated with rapid growth or destruction of joints, malignant reoccurrence must be considered.