Arthroscopic synovectomy of synovial tuberculosis of the knee joint.

Synovial tuberculosis is a rare, but important differential diagnosis of synovial diseases. Three cases of arthroscopic synovectomy of tubercular monarthritis affecting the knee joint are reported. The Lysholm scoring scale modified by Klein and Kloos was excellent in two cases, but poor in one. In all three cases there was an excellent improvement in the range of motion compared to the preoperative period and no deterioration of the Larsen score in the follow-up period (25-56 months postoperatively). Considering these results arthroscopic synovectomy can be recommended as an alternative to the open procedure of synovectomy.