Chronic Shoulder Pain in a Volleyball Player

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Synovial chondromatosis is a rare condition characterized by the formation of cartilaginous nodules within a joint's synovial membrane.
• The disorder predominantly affects middle-aged men, with the knee being the most commonly affected joint (60% of cases).
• Occurrence in young athletes is exceptionally uncommon, making this case noteworthy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of synovial chondromatosis in a young female athlete presenting with shoulder pain.
• To describe the diagnostic findings and arthroscopic management of this condition in an adolescent patient.
• To discuss the implications of synovial chondromatosis in the context of sports-related injuries and its typical demographic.

Main Methods:

• Diagnostic imaging (X-rays) to identify diffuse multiple loose calcifications within the shoulder joint's synovium.
• Arthroscopic surgical intervention for the removal of intra-articular calcifications.
• Performance of a partial synovectomy to address the affected synovial tissue.

Main Results:

• X-rays confirmed diffuse multiple loose calcifications throughout the shoulder synovium.
• Arthroscopic surgery successfully removed the calcifications and performed a partial synovectomy.
• The patient's shoulder pain, associated with volleyball activity, was addressed by the surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

• Synovial chondromatosis, though rare in young athletes, can occur and cause significant joint pain.
• Arthroscopic management is a viable treatment option for removing symptomatic calcifications.
• The prognosis is considered fair due to the potential for recurrence, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.