Synovial Chondromatosis of the Shoulder: Open Synovectomy and Insertion of Osteoarticular Allograft With Internal Fixation to Repair Intraoperative Glenohumeral Joint Instability

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare benign disorder characterized by chondroid metaplasia with multinodu­lar proliferation of the synovial lining of a diarthroidal joint, bursa, or tendon sheath. These cartilaginous nodules may become embedded within the proliferat­ing synovium and may extend into the surrounding soft tissues. They also can detach from the synovium, where they can calcify and may present as intra-articular loose bodies. Presence of these nodules leads to joint pain, dysfunction, and ultimately, destruction. Clinically, patients often present with a chronic monoarthropathy.

In this article, we report a case of extensive synovial chondromatosis of the right shoulder and surrounding soft tissues with extensive erosion of the humeral head, discuss combined anterior and posterior surgical exci­sion of the cartilaginous fragments, and describe inser­tion of an osteoarticular allograft to repair the humeral head defect and secondary anterior glenohumeral joint instability.