Algodystrophy of the knee. Anatomo-radiological study of a case

Presentation of a case of algodystrophy (i.e., Sudeck's dystrophy) of the left knee, affecting the femur, tibia and patella. It was brought on by a simple movement made while playing tennis and it recurred subsequently accompanied by algodystrophy of the corresponding foot. Histological study of the biopsy material showed the classical image of cortical and cancellous bone atrophy with non-specific remodelling which explained the increased uptake on the scintigraph as well as the repairing of the bone tissue observed on the X-rays. Reasons are given for the choice of the term algodystrophy to describe the condition.