SYNOVIAL CHONDRAMATOSIS IN RIGHT KNEE

Rosemary1
Rosemary1 Member Posts: 5
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:07 in Living with arthritis

Has anyone had the operation to remove the ossified particles MORE THAN ONCE?

The synovial membrane sheds itself and the cells ossify forming rice like grains or popcorn which causes swelling round the joint. Eventually the grains have to be removed surgically. In my case it has come back for the third time.

When first diagnosed I was told it might come back once or twice but if a third time a replacement knee was mentioned. But apparently the latter might not solve it and concern that I might not have enough benefit from the latter at this point. I am 77 years of age and fit and healthy apart from this..which is a rare condition, more common in men and in younger age groups.

Comments

  • anneb82
    anneb82 Member Posts: 317

    Hello @Rosemary1

    Welcome to the online community and thank you for joining us. I hope that you will find this a safe and friendly space to continue sharing your journey with us.

    So you have been diagnosed with a rare condition that is more common in men and in younger age groups called Synovial Chondromatosis in your right knee. You are currently in the situation where the condition has come back for the third time. You were told when first diagnosed that it could come back once or twice but if a third time than a knee replacement may be the way to go forward. However a knee replacement may not solve it and you are concerned that you may not have much benefit with the replacement due to being 77 years old, even though you are fit and healthy apart from this. You are wondering if anyone on the community has experience of this and if anyone has been operated on for a third time.

    I must admit that this is the first time I have ever come across this particular condition and that when I tried to search for information on it, I was not very successful. The information I was able to find only confirmed the description you had already given.

    It doesn't sound very pleasant and I do feel for you with it coming back for a third time. I am hoping that the online community will have some answers for you in this particular area as we are a large group and there maybe others that share your rare diagnosis.

    I have included a link to information on our helpline which is open Mon - Fri as well as information about knee replacements that may be of interest to you.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/get-help/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/

    I hope that these can be of use to you and that you get some answers via the people of the community. Please do keep us updated on how you are getting on.

    Take care

    Anne (Moderator)

  • Rosemary1
    Rosemary1 Member Posts: 5

    Anne

    Thank you for your feedback on my synovial chondromatosis.

    Just one part of your reflection is not correct where you say I am concerned that a knee replacement at 77 years of age will not give me much benefit. That is the reason one surgeon said was why they are hesitant to recommending a replacement now. My concern is that it comes back again in two or three years time and I might then not have my husband around and I will be in my early eighties.

    It is rare so doesn’t warrant research monies. One possible cause is trauma. They cannot envisage the number of heavy building sacks I have carried in the last 18years when we have renovated two buildings into homes.

    with thanks

    Wendy

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