title: Comparison of arthroscopic, radioactive and combined synovectomy in the treatment of chronic non-specific knee synovitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes of arthroscopic, radioactive and combined synovectomies in patients with chronic non-specific recurrent synovitis who did not respond to conservative therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine patients enrolled between 2007 and 2011 were divided into 3 groups: group 1 was treated with arthroscopy, group 2 received a radioactive drug and group 3 received a combined (radioactive and arthroscopic) synovectomy. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by comparing pre- and post-operative Lysholm knee scores (LKS), night pain, resting pain, activity pain and effusions using visual analogue scales (VAS). Patient satisfaction was assessed using the visual analogue patient satisfaction scale (VAPSS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the study participants was 41.5 ± 5.2 years (range 14-76), and the mean follow-up period was 33.6 ± 3.2 months (range 17-78). Before treatment, the mean LKS was 41.4 ± 3.4 in group 1, 39.6 ± 3.3 in group 2 and 37.1 ± 4.6 in group 3. After treatment, the corresponding mean LKS were 77.7 ± 2.1, 81.6 ± 2.8 and 91.3 ± 2.7 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; the increase was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The VAS scores before and after treatment decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The mean VAPSS score, a measure of patient satisfaction, was 5.1 ± 1.7, 5.8 ± 1.5 and 7.4 ± 1.8 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and the difference between groups 1 and 2 was not statistically significant, while that between group 3 and the other two groups was significant (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that the three methods used in individuals with chronic non-specific recurrent synovitis were effective; however, arthroscopic synovectomy in combination with radioactive synovectomy was more effective than the other methods and superior in terms of patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guney
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dogar
authors.forename: Ibrahim Halil
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Kafadar
authors.forename: Okkes
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bilal
authors.forename: Mithat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oner
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kula
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013585:Synovitis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes