Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy of the Knee Joint Following Menisectomy

Abstract

A 20-year old woman visited our hospital in October 1987. She complained of intermittent pain, flexion contracture, and locking of the rigth knee. Physical examination rivealed tenderness, a pathological plica, and a positive McMurray's test, but radiograph demonstrated no abnormalities. The lateral meniscectomy and resection of the plica were performed at arthrotomy in December 1987.
Postoperatively the knee pain and contracture persisted despite early ambulation, physical therapy, and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Radiograph 3 months after surgery demonstrated patchy osteoporosis of the distal femur, patella, and proxymal tibia. Physical examination revealed diffuse tenderness, swollen, warm, contracture, and skin atrophy of the affected knee. Results of laboratory investigation were normal or negative. The patient was diagnosed reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the knee following meniscectomy and resection of the plica, treated by kindly physical examination and steroidal drugs. The sympyoms were relieved gradually after the treatment. To date 22 weeks following surgery, the patient returned to a Bialy life without disability. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy must be an unusual complication following meniscectomy.