Arthroscopic treatment for elbow intraarticular loose bodies

Abstract

We present a case of 29 years old man, diver, exposed to heavy work. He accused pain at the level of right elbow. Plain radiographs suggested a calcified intra-articular body. Intra-articular bodies are generally composed of cartilage in some cases, or cartilage and bone in other cases and result from several processes that leads to degradation of the articular surface. They derive nutrition in great extent from synovial fluid and contain any type of the cells of bone or cartilage. The surface cells compose more cartilaginous layers, enlarging in this way the body over time. Most deeper cells receive less nutrition than the others, leading to cell death and calcification An MRI was performed in this study to better characterize not only the location but also consistency and mobility of this body. An arthroscopic procedure was done to remove all these bodies. The results were good with disappearing of pain.