Surgical Complications in Management of Primary Synovial Chondromatosis in the Distal Interphalangeal Joint: A Case Report.

CASE: A 60-year-old right-hand-dominant woman experienced progressive enlargement of a mass over the index distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint over 5 years, leading to joint destruction and swan neck deformity. Radiography showed arthritis, erosion, and calcific deposition. Surgical intervention included mass excision, synovectomy, and DIP joint arthrodesis. After initial fixation failure, revision surgery achieved DIP joint fusion, with histology confirming synovial chondromatosis.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the diagnostic and treatment challenges of treating rare presentations of synovial chondromatosis in small hand joints, emphasizing early recognition, synovial excision, and joint stabilization in the presence of poor bone quality to prevent recurrence and preserve function.