Recurrent effusion in the synovectomized knee joint.

This report concerns a number of patients affected by recurrent effusion of the knee joint. Synovectomy was performed on 62 knees representing various diagnostic groups, e.g. indefinite synovitis, chronic effusion induced by osteoarthritis, effusion caused by traumatic lesion, synovitis of rheumatoid origin, pigmented villonodular synovitis and tuberculous synovitis. 47 knees were inspected at a follow-up study after 5 years (on average). Good results were noted for 36% of the patients, fair results for 45% and poor results for 19%. The best results were achieved in the following diagnostic groups: indefinite synovitis, synovitis caused by traumatic leasion, and synobitis of rheumatoid origin. On the whole, the results were somewhat better after subtotal than after partial synovectomy.