RECURRENT HEMARTHROSIS FOLLOWING A TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

The case of a recurrent hemarthrosis of a total knee arthroplasty afte r the sixth postoperative month is described. Because of disabling pai n, the patient underwent an explorative arthrotomy 18 months after imp lantation of the total I;nee arthroplasty. A hypertrophied vascular ma ss of synovium was discovered in the lateral gutter and excised with a n associated synovectomy: Since the arthrotomy, the hemarthrosis has n ot recurred. Therefore, in cases of recurrent hemarthrosis of a total knee arthroplasty that becomes disabling, exploration by arthrotomy sh ould he considered.