SAPHO syndrome - rare case of joint damage treated by knee synovectomy and total hip joint replacement

This report describes the case of a young male who had been followed-up between the ages of 14-21 years at different health facilities for symptoms initially considered to be caused by tumor, then by chronic osteomyelitis or ankylosing spondylitis and finally diagnosed as the SAPHO syndrome. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the SAPHO syndrome include focal, probably aseptic chronic osteomyelitis, synovitis and formation of hyperostoses. Therapy of the SAPHO syndrome is predominantly conservative. However, in this case we had to employ arthroscopic synovectomy first, for severe synovitis resistant to any conservative therapy approach. Later, left total hip replacement has been performed for advanced hip joint damage accompanied by intense pain and significant range of motion reduction. At the present time, the patient is 51/2 years after synovectomy of the knee and 5 years after the hip joint replacement. The knee joint is without effusion or functional limitations, with intermittent pains only. The hip prosthesis in the risk area is fully integrated without signs of component loosening, with very good functional outcome. While synovectomy can be obviously fully recommended in cases like this, the total joint replacement should be considered unique and indicated only rarely after careful consideration of all circumstances.We consider this approach absolutely exceptional also because we have not found reference to similar case in any national or international professional literature available.