Comparison of Arthroscopic, Radioactive and Combined Synovectomy in the Treatment of Chronic Non-Specific Knee Synovitis

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. SUBJECTS AND 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). CONCLUSION 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.