Plant Thorn Synovitis (cont.)

Once a synovectomy for plant thorn arthritis has been performed, the joint tends to heal well without residual problems. The sooner the synovectomy is performed, the better the outcome as chronic joint inflammation can risk damage to cartilage of the joint. Physical therapy rehabilitation exercises can be helpful to restore normal joint function.

• Plant thorn arthritis is a noninfectious inflammation of a joint as a result of a thorn puncturing the joint and leaving residual plant matter lodged within the joint.
• Plant thorn arthritis typically affects only a single joint -- the joint that was pierced by the plant thorn.
• Plant thorn arthritis causes the involved joint to be swollen, slightly reddish, stiff, and painful. The joint loses its full range of motion and is often tender.
• The symptoms of plant thorn arthritis may occur long after the thorn is removed from the affected joint.
• The diagnosis of plant thorn arthritis requires either detection of a piece of thorn within the joint by radiology testing or surgical removal of the thorn fragments and identification of the fragments microscopically in the laboratory.
• Synovectomy is the surgical procedure that is used to cure plant thorn arthritis.

REFERENCES:

Stevens, K.J., et. al. "Imaging of Plant-Thorn Synovitis." Skeletal Radiol 29 (2000): 605-608.

Sugarman, M., D.G. Stobie, F.P. Quismorio, R. Terry, and V. Hanson. "Plant Thorn Synovitis." Arthritis Rheum 20.5 June 1977: 1125-1128.

Last Editorial Review: 1/14/2011 2:58:26 PM

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/plant_thorn_synovitis/article.htm