Joint rats refer to intra-articular free bodies, which are mostly fragments of some tissues that have been dislodged from the joint tissues as a result of joint trauma or other pathologies.
When exfoliative osteochondritis, osteoarthritis, synovial osteochondromatosis, and trauma occur, fragments of joint bone, cartilage, or other tissues can be dislodged and retained in the joint cavity, and because these fragments have a certain degree of slipperiness, they are called “joint rats”.
Clinical manifestations include joint pain that worsens with activity, swelling, interlocking joints, popping and ringing, etc. X-rays often reveal abnormal shadows in the joints, and arthroscopy can usually be used to make a definitive diagnosis.
The main treatment is surgical removal of intra-articular free bodies, which is often carried out under arthroscopy. Surgery is minimally invasive, and early treatment can effectively restore joint function. At the same time, it is necessary to identify the primary disease and treat the primary disease.
If the symptoms of “joint rat” appear, you need to consult a doctor in time to avoid delaying the condition, identify the cause of the disease, and standardize the treatment under the guidance of a physician.