Giant Cell Tumor as a Rare Cause of Loose Bodies in the Knee Joint - A Case Report

Loose bodies in the knee joint are relatively common and the common causes are transchondral fractures, synovial chondromatosis, osteochondritis dissecans, meniscal injury, and osteoarthritis. Neoplastic growths from synovium have been reported to have presentations mimicking loose bodies or meniscus tears.

We report the case of an unusual cause of loose body in the knee joint of a 35-year-old male who reported for follow-up 3 years after the surgical management of giant cell tumor (GCT) of the distal femur. He had symptoms of loose bodies in the joint without any complaint specific to the operative site. Imaging revealed loose bodies within the joint which were removed arthroscopically. Histopathology showed the loose bodies as GCT. The patient had relief of symptoms after removal and the patient has no evidence of recurrence at the primary site or in the knee joint.

GCTs should be considered a cause of loose bodies in the joint when there is a neighboring bone affected by GCT and all such loose bodies removed should undergo histopathological examination.