PREOPERATIVE PLANNING OF ARTHROSCOPIC SYNOVECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE INJURIES AND CONCOMITANT PATHOLOGY

Knee joint pathology poses a significant challenge in modern orthopaedics, driven by the rising incidence of traumatic injuries and their frequent association with comorbid conditions. Epidemiological data report an annual knee injury incidence of 5.3 per 1,000 population, with approximately 40% of cases progressing to synovitis. The presence of comorbidities significantly influences disease progression and treatment outcomes, underscoring their clinical importance. This study aimed to identify key factors affecting the quality of preoperative planning for arthroscopic synovectomy, with a focus on individual patient characteristics and the specific nature of concomitant pathologies. This study included 97 patients (2020–2024), categorized into two groups: traumatic pathology (n = 50) and degenerative pathology (n = 47). The assessment protocol comprised clinical evaluation using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, magnetic resonance imaging analysis based on the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score and the Boston Knee Osteoarthritis Scoring System, inflammatory marker measurements, and comorbidity profiling. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in synovitis severity and functional parameters correlating with comorbidity patterns. The concurrent presence of grade II- III hypertension and diabetes mellitus demonstrated the most adverse clinical profile, characterized by maximum synovitis scores (2.0 points by the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score) and severely compromised functional parameters (35.9±1.2 points by the Pain subscale of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score). The study has established key risk factors for severe synovitis and developed a comprehensive risk stratification system, categorizing patients into low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups, facilitating the implementation of individualized preoperative management strategies tailored to their comorbidity profiles.