Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition.Thomson, Alexis
Science
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition.
Thomson, Alexis
Surgery
(2) _Papillary or Nodular Tubercle of the Synovial Membrane._--This is
a condition in which there is a fringy, papillary, or polypoidal
growth from the synovial membrane. It is most often met with in adult
males. The onset and progress are gradual, and the chief complaint is
of stiffness and swelling which are worse after exertion. Sometimes
there are symptoms of loose body, such as occasional locking of the
joint, with pain and inability to extend the limb; but the locking is
easily disengaged, and the movements are at once free again. The
patient may give a history of several years' partial and intermittent
disability, with lameness and occasional locking, although he may have
been able to go about or even to continue his occupation.
There is a moderate degree of effusion into the joint, and when this
has subsided under rest it may be possible to feel ill-defined cords,
or tufts, or nodular masses, and to grasp between the fingers those in
the supra-patellar pouch. There is little wasting of muscles, and it
is exceptional to have signs of disease of the articular surfaces or
of cold abscess.
On opening the joint, there may escape fluid and loose bodies similar
to those described under hydrops, and if the finger is introduced into
the cavity, the upper pouch is felt to be occupied by fringes or
polypoidal processes derived from the synovial membrane.
The diagnosis is to be made from arthritis deformans, and in some
cases from loose body of other than tuberculous origin.
(3) _Cold abscess_ or _empyema_ of the knee is a rare condition, in
which the joint becomes filled with pus. It usually results from a
primary tuberculosis of the synovial membrane occurring in children
reduced in health and the subject of tuberculosis elsewhere.
(4) _Diffuse Thickening of the Synovial Membrane--White Swelling._--So
long as this form of the disease remains confined to the synovial
membrane, the chief feature is that of an indolent elastic swelling in
the area of the joint. The swelling tapers off above and below, so
that it acquires a fusiform shape, and from the wasting of the muscles
it appears greater than it really is. The range of movement is
moderately restricted.
At first the patient limps, keeps the knee slightly flexed, and
complains of tiredness and stiffness after exertion. As the articular
surfaces become affected, there is pain, which is readily excited by
jarring of the limb, or by any attempt at movement; the joint is held
rigid, and there may be startings at night. If untreated, flexion
becomes more pronounced--it may be to a right angle--the leg and foot
are everted, and, in children, the tibia may be displaced backwards
(Fig. 124). The wasting of muscles continues, the part becomes hot to
the touch, the swelling increases, and may show areas of softening or
fluctuation from abscess formation.
[Illustration: FIG. 124.--Advanced Tuberculous Disease of Knee, with
backward displacement of Tibia.]
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