Clinical Outcomes after Arthroscopic Treatment of Synovial Chondromatosis in the Hip

Efficacy of Outside-In Hip Arthroscopy without Traction in the Treatment of Hip Synovial Osteochondromatosis

Arthroscopic treatments of hip synovial osteochondromatosis are mostly performed under traction, resulting in neurovascular injury or iatrogenic damage to the labrum or cartilage. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of outside-in hip arthroscopy without traction in treating hip synovial osteochondromatosis. This retrospective study was conducted on a series of patients with hip synovial osteochondromatosis treated using outside-in hip arthroscopy without traction in our hospital between 2018 and 2020. Plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained. The Harris hip score (HHS), hip range of motion (ROM), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed. The preoperative scores and last follow-up scores were compared with a paired-sample t test. The complications and recurrence postsurgery were recorded. This study included five patients (three male and two female) with an average age of 41 years (range 28-54 years). The mean follow-up time was 25.2 months (range 18-36 months). All patients experienced groin pain relief and improved ROM. The mean VAS score was significantly lower postoperatively (0.4 ± 0.5) than preoperatively (3.2 ± 0.8) (p < 0.001). The mean HHS improved from 58.6 ± 12.7 (range 43-73) to 89.8 ± 5.26 (range 81-95) (p < 0.001). No major complications, including infection, perineal numbness and swelling, neurotrosis, thromboembolism, or severe persistent pain, were reported. Synovial osteochondromatosis recurred in one patient after 2 years of follow-up without any obvious symptoms such as hip pain or joint locking. Therefore, no further treatment was necessary. This study showed that outside-in hip arthroscopy without traction might be a viable option for treating hip synovial osteochondromatosis, effectively and safely relieving symptoms with minimal complications, especially in patients without lesions in the central compartment.

Arthroscopic management of recurrent synovial chondromatosis of the hip: a case report

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare condition characterized by the chondral proliferation of synovium forming loose bodies which can lead to pain, swelling, and decreased range of movement of the affected joint.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here the authors report a case of eighteen years lady with recurrent hip synovial chondromatosis who was treated previously with hip arthrotomy and loose bodies removal and now she underwent arthroscopic loose bodies removal with partial synovectomy.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

In comparison to arthrotomy of the hip, arthroscopic management is a minimally invasive surgery that is associated with decreased postoperative pain, earlier improvement in range of motion, a shorter course of rehabilitation, and overall lower morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the authors recommend arthroscopic removal of the loose bodies and partial synovectomy for the management of synovial chondromatosis of the hip.

Primary synovial chondromatosis of the hip joint (PrSC of the hip): A retrospective cohort analysis and review of the literature

Introduction

Primary synovial osteochondromatosis (SOCM) or Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the hip is a benign metaplastic condition of the synovium that is rare and may present with a spectrum of clinical features and radiological findings.

Patients and methods

A retrospective search using the keyword 'Synovial chondromatosis' (SC) of the hip was performed at a tertiary care orthopaedic referral centre in the UK and a hospital in India. The radiology images were collected from our Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and Radiology Information System (RIS), over 15 years. The patient's data was collated with Electronic Patient Records (EPR), RIS, and correlated with histo-pathology laboratory records where available. The demographic details of the patients, their clinical symptoms, imaging details, and management outcomes were collected.

Results

We found 15 cases, with a mean age of 36.53 years (range: 14-50 years). There were 9 male and 6 female patients. The follow-up ranged from 1 year to 6 years. Predominantly unilateral presentation with insidious onset of symptoms was found. A spectrum of radiological Imaging was undertaken. Management strategies included supervised observation, arthroscopic or open synovectomy, and hip arthroplasty. No malignant transformation was found in the analysed cohort.

Conclusion

Primary 'Synovial chondromatosis' of the hip had a male preponderance in our cohort, presenting with a range of clinical features. Radiologically, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was the commonest modality of cross-sectional imaging utilised and crucial for the diagnosis, evaluating underlying articular involvement including guiding appropriate patient management presenting with Primary 'Synovial chondromatosis' of the hip.

The Application of Arthroscopic Techniques in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip-Related Conditions in China

The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body and is surrounded by dense capsules and thick muscles. Hip arthroscopic techniques are suitable for the treatment of hip-related conditions. These minimally invasive techniques have rapidly developed in China since 2007. Moreover, they have been used in the treatment of gluteal muscle contracture, snapping hip syndrome, femoral acetabular impingement, acetabular labral injury, hip labral calcification, synovial chondroma, osteoid osteoma, synovitis, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and developmental dysplasia of the hip. This technique has showed its advantage in the total debridement of lesions, precision treatment, and less trauma. However, we lack understanding of the overall development of arthroscopic techniques in China. This review illustrates the recent development of hip arthroscopic techniques in China and related research progress.

Surgical hip dislocation for treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the hip

PURPOSE

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical hip dislocation in patients with synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the hip.

METHODS

Seven patients with primary SC of the hip treated with open synovectomy and removal of loose bodies by surgical hip dislocation from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had numerous and widespread loose bodies based on pre-operative images, including routine radiographs, CT, and MRI. The visual analog scale (VAS) score and Harris hip score (HHS) were collected and analyzed before and after surgery. The post-operative radiographs were reviewed to evaluate disease recurrence and osteoarthritis progression.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 61 minutes (range, 42-75 min). An average of 33 loose bodies in each patient (range, 16-67) was removed, and extra-articular pathology was found in one patient. Patients were followed up for a mean duration of 30 months (range, 18-42 months). The average VAS scores were decreased from 3.7 (range, 2-6) pre-operatively to 0.9 (range, 0-2) at the last follow-up, and the HHS was improved from 60.1 (range, 50-73) to 90.1 (range, 82-95). All results demonstrated significant improvements (P < 0.05). Post-operative radiographs showed no recurrence, osteoarthritis progression, or osteonecrosis of the femoral head in all hips.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical hip dislocation was a practical approach for managing both intra-articular and extra-articular pathologic lesions around the hip. It was an effective treatment for SC of the hip with short surgical time, good joint functions, a lower recurrence rate, and few complications.