Arthroscopic removal of synovial chondromatosis of the first carpometacarpal joint

Abstract

Synovial chondromatosis or loose body is frequently encountered in the knee, elbow, and shoulder joints. However, hand is a rare localization. It is aimed to present the arthroscopic excision of the loose body inside the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. A 47-year-old female patient presented with pain in the left thumb root. The grind test was positive in the patient; however, there were no signs of arthritis in the first CMC joint. Tomography revealed the loose bodies inside the joint. Under traction, CMC joint was palpated, two portals were opened, dry and wet arthroscopy was performed, and loose bodies were extracted. Synovial chondromatosis is a disorder that can be solved arthroscopically and should be kept in mind in hand and wrist pain, which reminds osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist where there are no signs of osteoarthritis in the physical examination and direct radiographs.