Synovial Lipomatosis (Lipoma Arborescens) of the Knee

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this retrospective study are to emphasize that the patients who have non surgical treatments for several times due to the massive swelling in their knees should be considered the SL and this pathology is treatable by arthroscopic synovectomy METHODS: Seventeen patients (four female and thirteen male), were evaluated retrospectively from May 2009 and April 2013. Mean age for female group was 34,75 (range between 32 to 41) and for male group was 34,23 (range between 26 to 46). Mean follow-up period was 14,76 months (range between 6 months and 38 months). Mean duration of compliance was 26,23 months (range between 9 to 96) months. All patients rated by Knee Society Score preoperatively and postoperatively arthroscopic synovectomy, performed by using radiofrequency ablation and arthroscopic shaver for treatment procedure. Patients were discharged at the end of the one day hospitalization. Postoperatively all patients were allowed to full range of motion and full weight-bearing within one day after surgery. RESULTS: Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the Knee Society Score. The mean Knee Society Score was 67,82 preoperatively and 88,23 was postoperatively. There is significant difference between preoperative and postoperative Knee Society scores.(p <0.05) At the end of the three months, MRI studied and there was no clue of recurrence except two patients. All patients returned to their daily activities with full of range of motion and without swelling of the affected knee joints. At the microscopic histological studies were reported as synovial lipomatosis for all patients CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic synovectomy is the safe and dramatically effective method of treatment in synovial lipomatosis with less complication, curability and retrieving patients full range of motion with no limitation in their daily activities