Recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty successfully treated with synoviorthesis

J Arthroplasty. 2008 Sep;23(6):931-3. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2007.07.012. Epub 2008 Mar 4.

Abstract

A case of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis--due to developed hypertrophied synovium--after total knee arthroplasty is reported. The patient was successfully treated with radiosynovectomy. The first hemorrhage occurred 18 months after the total knee arthroplasty. Several similar episodes followed over a period of 4 years. Because conservative treatment failed to control the bleeding, an arthroscopic lavage was performed, which revealed the existence of proliferative synovium. A significant part of the hypertrophic tissue was excised with the use of a thermocoagulator. However, 1 month later, another episode of hemarthrosis occurred. As a final step before reoperation, the patient was treated with intra-articular injection of ytrium 90. Eighteen months later, she remains symptom-free, is very satisfied with the result, and reports no new episode of hemarthrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Hemarthrosis / diagnosis
  • Hemarthrosis / etiology*
  • Hemarthrosis / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology
  • Synovial Membrane / radiation effects*
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes

Substances

  • Yttrium Radioisotopes