The aetiology of multiple loose bodies - Snow storm knee

Description: We report four patients who showed hundreds of brilliant white loose bodies at arthroscopy of the knee after a short history of pain and crepitus. Histological, historical and clinical evidence is presented which indicates that the aetiology of this condition is the culture of chondrocytes in synovial fluid. It is suggested that reversal of the usually accepted order of events in synovial osteochondromatosis could provide a better and unified explanation for both that condition and multiple loose bodies. The term 'snow storm knee' is proposed to describe the dramatic picture seen at arthroscopy.
The aetiology of multiple loose bodies. Snow storm knee. Kay PR, Freemont AJ, Davies DR. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1989 May;71(3):501-4 full text