Partial synovectomy in the treatment of tuberculosis of the knee.

Fifty synovectomies of the knee joint for tuberculous synovitis performed during a six-year period with complete postoperative follow-up were studied to assess the value of such procedures and the conclusions drawn are reported here. In order to obtain good results, synovectomy should be performed during the early phase of disease, when the knee remains swollen and warm, even after antitubercular therapy, or when the range of movement does not show signs of returning. Exploration of such joints in children shows that the cartilage is wholly or partly covered by pannus.