The role of arthroscopy in the management of synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder. A case report.

A case of synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder is reported in a 28-year-old man with long-standing shoulder pain after a remote episode of trauma. Although plain roentgenograms were normal, arthrograms revealed the characteristic findings of synovial chondromatosis. Treatment consisted of arthroscopic removal of multiple cartilaginous loose bodies and partial synovectomy. Synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder treated with arthroscopic debridement and synovectomy rather than traditional open arthrotomy seems not to have been reported previously.