Knee Synovitis | Cases

87 female , 6 month history of knee pain

Difficult weight bearing. Uses 1 walking crutch. Limited flexion and extension ROM due to pain. Swelling present in the whole leg rather than just the knee.

Attended A&E twice due to severity of pain. Was given a knee x-ray.

X-ray Report

Mild degenerative changes noted particularly in relation to the lateral compartment and the patellofemoral joint. A suprapatellar effusion is noted.
No acute bony injury seen.

MRI

Axial view

Coronal View – FS

Saggital View – FS

Saggital View – TSE

There is a horizontal tear through the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. There is also an extensive tear through the lateral meniscus.
The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments are intact.
There is fluid outside the medial collateral ligament indicating a sprain. The lateral collateral ligament appears intact.
The quadriceps and patellar tendons appear normal.
Moderate joint effusion with evidence of synovitis and synovial thickening with some susceptibility artefact suggestive of PVNS. There are multiple loose bodies. There is moderate loss of the retropatellar cartilage particularly overlying the medial facet. There is early to moderate lateral tibiofemoral and medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.
CONCLUSION
Horizontal tear through the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and an extensive tear through the lateral meniscus. Tricompartmental osteoarthritis. Synovitis with evidence of PVNS.
Loose bodies. Consider a repeat MRI scan with IV gadolinium to exclude any evidence of synovial sarcoma.