Abstract
Diffuse-type pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare benign disease that causes
disorders of the knee, including erosion of subchondral bone and cyst formation, with
eventual osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term
outcomes of synovectomy and total knee replacement in patients with the diffuse type
of pigmented villonodular synovitis. From November 2011 to May 2015, we performed
synovectomy and total knee replacement in 28 patients with diffuse pigmented villonodular
synovitis diagnosed on the basis of histopathology of biopsy specimens. Clinical data
were collected perioperatively and during follow-up for evaluation of surgical efficacy.
No intraoperative complications were encountered. Mean operative duration was 73.4 minutes
(range: 47–115 minutes); mean estimated blood loss was 223.9 mL (range: 50–600 mL).
The mean duration of follow-up was 58.7 months (range: 36–84 months). Mean range of
motion improved from 86.1 ± 11.3 degrees (range: 60–100 degrees) to 107 ± 11.4 degrees
(range: 90–130 degrees). Average Knee Society clinical scores improved from 38.9 ± 9.5
(range: 17–54) to 84.4 ± 6.1 (range: 75–98); functional scores improved from 48.9 ± 13.1
(range: 25–80) to 84.6 ± 6.1 (range: 75–95; p < 0.05 for both). Postoperative radiographs showed no signs of prosthesis loosening,
periprosthetic fractures, or dislocation. The short-term efficacy of synovectomy and
total knee replacement in treating patients with diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis
was satisfactory.
Keywords
Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis - total knee replacement - tenosynovial giant
cell tumor - total synovectomy
