Joint mouse
Joint mouse / corpus liberum
A joint mouse is a loose piece of cartilage or bone tissue that floats freely through the joint. This can impede the movement of the joint.
A joint mouse that consists of cartilage can continue to grow. Cartilage is fed by the joint synovial fluid. A loose fragment of cartilage is still being fed by the synovial fluid. The joint mouse may impede the normal movements of a joint.
Description of condition
A joint mouse (corpus liberum) may hamper the normal movements of a joint, for example causing the joint to "lock". Movement is then (temporarily) blocked. In principle, a joint mouse may occur in any joint, but they are most frequently seen in the knee and the elbow.
Cause and history
A joint mouse can have various causes. Sometimes the loose piece of bone or cartilage tissue is the result of a fracture (break) or an accident. However, the tissue may also loosen gradually and result in symptoms that cannot be linked to any specific moment.
Signs & symptoms
The patient experiences locking of the joint. This means that the joint is suddenly unable to flex or extend properly. The person will often feel something shifting in the joint. The joint mouse is forcibly pushed aside.
The symptoms may be felt in various places in the joint, because the loose piece of tissue does not necessarily remain in exactly the same position. Sometimes the problem appears to be solved, but the symptoms may return at a later time.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made using an X-ray or MRI scan.
Treatment
A joint mouse is usually removed via keyhole surgery (arthroscopy).
Exercises
You can check your symptoms using the online physiotherapy check or make an appointment with a physiotherapy practice in your locality.
