Arthroscopic Retrieval of over 100 Loose Bodies in Shoulder Synovial Chondromatosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare and benign condition of unknown cause. It is also known as synovial osteochondromatosis. It is characterized by involvement of the synovial tissue, which lines various joints of our body. Initial symptoms range from pain in the joint, locking of the joint at times, especially the knee, to arthritis of the joint that is a late feature of this condition. Although large joints such as the knee are commonly affected, involvement of the shoulder joint is a rare occurrence. Historically an open arthrotomy was preferred for removal of loose bodies coupled with a thorough synovectomy. However, arthroscopy for loose body retrieval has gained popularity over the past two decades. Arthroscopic surgery is an extremely skilled procedure and there is a learning curve for operating in certain anatomical areas such as the shoulder. However, not only does an arthroscopy provide the surgeon with an excellent view of the shoulder but the patient also has a faster recovery. We report a rare case of shoulder synovial chondromatosis in which more than 100 loose bodies were successfully retrieved by an arthroscopy in an individual who had an excellent outcome post-surgery, reaffirming our faith in the procedure. A detailed literature review of arthroscopic procedures is also presented.