Recurrent Synovial Chondromatosis of the Finger

Synovial chondromatosis of the finger is a rare metaplasia affecting either the finger joint or the tendon sheath. It is a benign extraosseus cartilage tumor that often occurs in numbers and is not solitary in nature. This accumulation of masses within the finger can lead the patient to seek medical care. Symptoms are often painful and functionally disabling. Although rare, synovial chondromatosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with multiple lesions or masses within the hand and finger. Patient workup involves advanced imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, and computerized tomography. However, the results of these studies may be inconclusive. Conservative management can be discussed with the patient but has proven to be ineffective. Surgical excision is the recommended first-line treatment. Whether the surgery is arthroscopic or open, with or without synovectomy, is at the surgeon's discretion. Mass recurrence after surgery is an unfortunate complication, and subsequent treatment strategies are undefined. Recurrence may not occur at the same anatomical site. This condition can be intra-articular (within the figure joint) or extra-articular (within the tendon sheath or bursa). Revision surgery in the form of open excision with synovectomy is the mainstay of treatment. There have been only a few case reports of synovial chondromatosis involving the finger. This case series and up-to-date review of the literature presents a discussion of current surgical care. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(3):e454-e457.].