Removal of Loose Bodies

What are Loose Bodies?

Loose bodies are small loose fragments of cartilage or a bone that float around the joint. They can cause pain, swelling, locking and catching of the joint.

Treatment of Loose Bodies

For small loose bodies your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and swelling. However, any loose body that is causing the symptoms are removed.

Removal of Loose Bodies

Loose bodies are removed by arthroscopic procedure. Surgery is performed depending on the location and the size of the loose bodies.

• A suction tip is used to withdraw the loose body or is held with a small needle and grasped with asurgical instrument called as grasper.
• If loose bodies are present in the joint space, a special instrument, called mechanical burr or a resector is used to break the loose bodies. The broken pieces will be easily degraded by the body by means of a mechanism called enzyme degradation.
• Large loose bodies which are caused by fractures, inflammation of bone and cartilage (osteocartilaginous loose bodies) are reduced and fixed to the position using screws or pin.
• If the loose body is caused by benign tumor of the synovial membrane, a procedure called partial synovectomy may be done. It involves removal of part of the synovium.
• Arthrotomy is a surgical procedure that employs an open technique in which incisions are made into the joint and the loose body is removed.

Rehabilitation following Removal of Loose Bodies

Following surgery, rehabilitation program may be needed to control pain and restore function and strength to the involved joint.