Rehabilitation outcome of a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is an uncommon proliferative disorder of the synovium, with an annual incidence of 1.8 per million. PVNS may have no symptoms, or may present as pain, stiffness, or swelling in a joint, with locking and instability. The proliferation of synovial villi and fibrous nodules characteristic of PVNS may occasionally form a palpable intra-articular mass. Resection of the lesion and total synovectomy is the treatment of choice. We report a case of a patient with symptomatic PVNS of the knee who underwent total synovectomy and cemented total knee arthropiasty. After rehabilitation, she was able to successfully return to work and was fully weight bearing without a limp. We believe thata rehabilitation plan focussing on total patient care and incorporating a six-step exercise programme and modalities to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles will help patients with PVNS of the knee achieve the goal of functional independence.