title: Arthroscopic treatment of synovial chondromatosis in the ankle joint.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Synovial chondromatosis is characterized by the presence of metaplastic cartilage nodules originating from the synovia, bursa and tendon sheaths. Although it is extremely rare in the ankle joint, malignant transformation is possible. The choice of treatment is usually open surgery for excision of loose bodies and synovectomy. Limited data is available concerning arthroscopic approaches.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 28-year-old male patient was evaluated for pain and swelling of the right ankle joint. Based on the findings of physical examination and radiographic investigations, arthroscopic surgery was performed due to ankle impingement syndrome. A diagnosis of synovial osteochondromatosis was made following the pathological survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Synovial chondromatosis is slowly progressive and is considered to be a self-limiting situation. Treatment strategies are decided on according to the patient's complaints, age and disease stage. Open or arthroscopic surgery. can be performed. Some advantages of arthroscopic surgery are wide visualization areas, easy access to areas difficult to reach, lower morbidity, no necessity for casting and immobilization, early rehabilitation and quick recovery period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, arthroscopic management can be successful in selected patients with synovial osteochondromatosis localized to the ankle joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Ankara Training, Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozmeric
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Ankara Training, Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nevres Hurriyet
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Aydogan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Ankara Training, Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: onurkocadal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Onur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kocadal
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Ankara Training, Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Talip
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Ankara Training, Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gozel
keywords: Ankle; Arthroscopic treatment; Osteochondromatosis; Synovial chondromatosis