Orthopaedic and Spine Institute
Texas Center for Athletes
21 Spurs Lane Suite 245
San Antonio, Tx.78240
210.48.SPINE
(210.487.7463)
Fax: 210.487.7468
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Orthopaedic Services and Procedures
ORTHOPEDIC PROCEDURES - KNEE
- Loose Body Removal
Loose Body Removal - Knee
Loose bodies are fragments of bone and/or cartilage that freely float in the joint space. They may occur singly or in groups and typically affect only one joint.
Loose bodies are classified as either stable or unstable. Stable loose bodies are in a fixed position and are generally well tolerated by the individual. Unstable loose bodies are free to move about the joint and cause symptoms.
Loose bodies are classified into three types: fibrinous, cartilaginous, and osteocartilaginous. Fibrinous loose bodies result from bleeding within the joint or from the death of the tissue lining of joints (synovial membrane) associated with tuberculosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Cartilaginous loose bodies are fragments of cartilage and are caused by injury (trauma) to the joint and osteoarthritis. Osteocartilaginous loose bodies are fragments of cartilage and bone caused by fractures, bone and cartilage inflammation (osteochondritis dissecans), osteoarthritis, and benign tumors of the synovial membrane (synovial chondromatosis). Cartilage is nourished by the fluid within the joint (synovial fluid) so loose bodies often increase in size and become smoother over time.
Individuals with a degenerative joint disease (e.g., arthritis or osteochondritis dissecans) are more likely to develop loose bodies in the knee.
Large loose bodies may require removal by use of an arthroscope (arthroscopy). A small suction tip may be used to help draw out the loose body, or it may be held in place by a small needle and grasped with a special tool. Some loose bodies may not be retrievable due to their position in the joint space, and an instrument (mechanical burr or resector) may be used to break the loose body apart. Once it is in small pieces, it can be easily reabsorbed through the body's normal means of elimination (enzyme degradation).
