The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 57, Issue 2 265-267, Copyright © 1975 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Articular damage in familial Mediterranean fever. Report of four cases
D Herness and M Makin
Four cases of familial Mediterranean fever have been reported in which the
disease produced organic damage to a joint. The diagnosis was confirmed by
clinical and family history and a typical course which included attacks of
recurrent joint synovitis. The laboratory findings, while typical, were not
specific. The main involvement was in the lower limbs. The findings at
operation were of a non-specific synovitis with destruction of cartilage.
It is emphasized that in the majority of cases of familial Mediterranean
fever the joint involvement is transient and only uncommonly does damage to
the joint become permanent. The fact that organic joint damage occurs is
not widely recognized, which is the reason for our report of these four
cases.