Aseptic Synovitis

Aseptic synovitis after total knee arthroplasty can result in recurrent joint swelling, stiffness, and pain. A careful and thorough evaluation is warranted, with clinical examination, imaging, and blood and synovial fluid analysis required as well. Ruling out periprosthetic joint infection is crucial because the symptoms of low-grade infection may resemble aseptic causes of synovitis. Potential causes of aseptic synovitis include polyethylene wear, metallosis, metal hypersensitivity, crystalline and inflammatory arthropathy, and hemarthrosis. Treatment options include medical management of the underlying pathology and revision surgery. Aseptic synovitis is a common and potentially detrimental condition after total knee arthroplasty and must be closely evaluated and appropriately treated by the orthopedic surgeon.