Title:Assessment and Management of Loose Bodies in the Knee Joint and Related Disease: A Narrative Review
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Hassan Zmerly*, Manuela Moscato and Ibrahim Akkawi
Affiliation:
- Orthopaedic Department, Villa Erbosa Hospital, Via Dell’Arcoveggio 50/2, 40129, Bologna, Italy
- UCM Malta -
Ludes Lugano Campus, Switzerland
Keywords:
Loose bodies, classification, knee arthroscopy, loose body removal, chondral lesion, osteochondritis dissecans, synovial chondromatosis.
Abstract: Background: Loose bodies are frequently encountered during clinical activity and are a
common finding during knee arthroscopy. Usually, treatment consists of the removal of loose
bodies, which can be challenging even for experienced surgeons. The excision alone is not always
the complete treatment, because loose bodies are generally secondary to other diseases that can
cause persistent symptoms with the risk of new loose body formation. The aim of this narrative review
is to show the clinical, imaging, and arthroscopic evaluation of loose bodies in order to plan
optimal treatment.
Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted to find the most recent and relevant
studies investigating aetiopathogenesis, the assessment tools, and the therapeutic strategies for
loose bodies in the knee and their related diseases.
Results: When dealing with a loose body, the first issue is the evaluation of the intra-articular fragment
(location, size, number, symptoms) and its aetiopathogenesis by identifying the underlying
pathology (e.g., osteochondritis dissecans, osteoarthritis, chondral defect, tumour-like lesions, rheumatoid
arthritis, etc.). In the case of symptomatic intra-articular loose bodies, treatment consists of
fragment removal and the management of related diseases (e.g.., lifestyle modification, physiotherapy,
pharmacological, and surgical treatment).
Conclusion: Loose bodies are not separate entities and in addition to their pathological aspect,
must be evaluated within the context of the underlying disease. Correct assessment and comprehensive
management allow for relief of symptomatology and prevention of loose body formation by removal
and treatment of the associated diseases.