ABSTRACT
The authors report on synovial folds of the knee examined by arthroscopy. 60 arthroscopies in 59 patients showed a plica synoviale. The authors recount the different anatomical types. A suprapatellar plica is found in all the cases and a lateropatellar plica is found in 7 out of 60 cases. The suprapatellar plica forms a fibrous fold which is sometimes completely folded off (6.6%) but more often it is an incomplete fold: internal (66.6%), external (21.6%) or annular (15%). In some cases arthroscopy reveals cartilaginous lesions associated with the plica. 18 patients out of 37 showed lesions of secondary chondromalacia. Endoscopic resection offers a possibility of treatment for this condition. The results of this operation were good or excellent in 64.7% of the patients without cartilaginous complications and in 40% of the patients who had a lesion of their cartilages. In the discussion the authors present the possible physiopathology of this syndrome and the presenting symptoms.
Subject(s)
Arthroscopy , Knee Joint/pathology , Synovial Membrane/anatomy & histology , Female , Humans , Joint Diseases/pathology , Joint Diseases/surgery , Male , Synovectomy , Synovial Membrane/pathologyABSTRACT
A double-blind study of erbium 169 injection into rheumatoid digital joints was carried out with saline as control. 201 joints in 36 patients were studied (137 metacarpophalalangeal, 64 proximal interphalangeal). Erbium 169 was injected into 121 joints and saline water into 80 joints. Local injection of corticosteroids was given to both groups. A definite improvement was observed in 55% to 58% of cases with erbium 169 (+prednisolone acetate) and in 26% to 28% of cases with saline (+prednisolone acetate). The difference was highly significant.
