Loose body in a joint
A loose body is a free-floating piece of bone, cartilage, or a foreign object in a joint. The knee is the most common site for loose bodies.
Causes of loose bodies include:
Surgery for Osteoarthritis Joint Pain
If you get little or no joint pain relief from osteoarthritismedications, it may be time to consider joint surgery. How do you decide? First, ask yourself and your doctor the most important question: Is there any other treatment for osteoarthritis you could try? Second, is joint surgery necessary? Third, ask an orthopaedic surgeon about the best surgery for joint pain relief in your particular situation. Your doctor will recommend a type of joint surgery based on the severity of your osteoarthritis...
Read the Surgery for Osteoarthritis Joint Pain article > >
- Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis).
- A chip fracture.
- A torn piece of the cartilage.
- An object, such as a dislodged piece of hardware from a previous surgery or a foreign object from a penetrating injury.
- Inflammation or decreased blood supply (avascular necrosis) to the bone and cartilage, which may cause the bone to separate from the cartilage (osteochondritis dissecans).
Symptoms of a loose body in the knee joint may include:
- Locking of the knee that comes and goes.
- Pain and swelling of the knee that comes and goes.
- Ability to feel the loose body by touching the knee.
- Ongoing (chronic) stiffness.
Your doctor may order a test, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI, to help find a loose body. Surgery to remove the loose body or repair the kneecap may be needed if a loose body is causing symptoms.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Today in Osteoarthritis
WebMD Special Sections
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.