T. Bhavani Prasad1 , Sandeep Saraf2 , Sasi Bhushan Reddy3 , Ravi Teja4 , Rajesh Reddy5
Synovial chondromatosis is a rare condition in which multiple cartilaginous nodules develop in the intimal layer of synovial membrane of joints, bursae or tendon sheaths as a result of subsynovial connective tissue metaplasia. 1 The etiology is unknown. The cartilaginous foci become pedunculated and may be sequestrated into the synovial cavity to form loose bodies. The centre of a focus may calcify and ossify, but the term osteochondromatosis is confusing and best avoided. Although this condition usually involves large joints such as knee, it has very rare instances been reported in hand and wrist. 1 Because of its low prevalence and non-specific symptoms, it presents diagnostic difficulties for hand surgeon and lead to delay in treatment. 1 The knee is involved in two thirds of patients, with the hip or elbow about equally divided as the next most frequent site. 2 Lesions of the shoulder, ankle, carpus, tarsus, temporomandibular joint, 3 and fingers have been reported on isolated occasions. 4 About 10% of the knee, hip, elbow and shoulder lesions are bilateral. Males are affected twice as often as females, and age ranges from 14 to 67 years with a peak in the fifth decade. 5 We have reviewed the literature and hereby report a case of synovial chondramatosis over flexor aspect of proximal interphalangeal joint of middle finger which is extremely rare.
