SYNOVITIS OF THE KNEE SECONDARY TO METALLIC WEAR PARTICLES PRESENTINGAS A SOFT-TISSUE TUMOR

There is concern about polymer and metallic debris generation and accu mulation in total knee arthroplasty and its association with osteolysi s and implant loosening. This case report describes a 53-year-old male who presented with a soft tissue mass 7 years after a noncemented Mil ler-Galante I total knee replacement. Needle biopsy suggested the diag nosis of synovitis secondary to metallic wear particles, At surgery th is was found to be a synovial cyst associated with such a synovitis. I t is interesting to emphasize that in our case the synovial cyst and t he associated synovitis has not resulted in implant loosening so far. This appears to be only the second case described following a Miller-G alante I total knee replacement and is of particular interest because there was no loosening of the prosthesis.