Arthroscopic Excision of an Intra-Articular Osteochondroma of the Knee

Osteochondroma is the most common benign tumor of the growing bone that commonly involves the knee joint region. Hereby we present a case of an arthroscopic resection of a symptomatic intra-articular osteochondroma of the knee. A 32-year-old woman presented with diffuse and persistent pain of her right knee followed by discomfort for over three months. She did not report any history of injury or any other medical problem. Physical examination and imaging, with plain radiographs and MRI, revealed a bony mass arising from the supero-lateral aspect of her right distal femur without a stalk. This bone tumor, an osteochondroma, was arthroscopically resected and the diagnosis was confirmed by the histologic examination. The arthroscopic resection of this benign tumor led to complete relief of the symptoms of the patient and her return to daily and athletic activities in one month postoperatively. No recurrence of symptoms occurred during the seven-year follow-up period. Arthroscopic resection of a symptomatic osteochondroma is less painful, more cosmetically accepted, and can result in a quicker recovery than the traditional approach with an open incision.