Two patients presented with recurrent hemarthrosis and limited range of motion after remote ORIF of peri-articular knee fractures. Symptoms resolved temporarily with aspirations, which were negative for infectious or immune etiologies, but subsequently reaccumulated. Neither radiographs nor MRI definitively demonstrated intra-articular extension of the hardware. After arthroscopically-assisted removal of hardware (ROH), there was resolution of symptoms and functional improvement. With recurrent hemarthrosis of unknown etiology after ORIF of peri-articular knee fractures, consider ROH that may project intra-articular. Arthroscopy allows direct visualization of the prominent hardware, articular cartilage, and other intra-articular soft tissues that may be damaged.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Turner et al. (2024) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: