Aseptic Inflammation and Synovitis of Knee by Splinter Injury in an Adult- A Rare Presentation

Abstract

Synovitis of knee due to an unaware incident of splinter piercing is rare in adults. This is a case report of 30-year-old female with a painful knee in a flexed attitude with a swelling. Her history did not reveal any positive findings, i.e., recent trauma, fever or any such previous episode. Arthrotomy revealed a turbid synovial fluid with inflamed friable synovial thickening. On further inspection, there was a presence of a foreign body in the suprapateller pouch. It was removed and washed. This was ultimately found to be a splinter. Normal inflammatory markers with minimal signs and symptoms of infection may provide weightage to this differential diagnosis. Arthrotomy and antibiotic coverage can give an excellent result.

Keywords

• arthrotomy
• foreign body
• inflammation