The surgical treatment of ochronotic
arthropathy remains unclear. Although there is no absolute cure for ochronotic
arthropathy, current management typically begins with
conservative treatment.
Total joint replacement may eventually be necessary for joints that become severely degenerative. Ochronotic
arthropathy is present in patients with
alkaptonuric ochronosis, which is characterized by dark pigmentation of connective tissue and black discoloration of urine owing to a deficiency of
homogentisic acid oxidase. As a result, soft tissues become brittle and subsequently more susceptible to mechanical stress, resulting in articular cartilage degeneration. The diagnosis of ochronotic
arthropathy of the knee often occurs intraoperatively after discovery of darkened synovium and black deposits during arthroscopy. The purpose of this article is to describe arthroscopic
debridement as an effective treatment option and diagnostic tool for ochronotic
arthropathy of the knee after failure of conservative measures.