A unusual presentation of syringomyelia as neuropathic arthropathy of elbow joint and review of literature

Abstract

Neuropathic arthropathy (NA) is one of the less understood and challenging condition to treat in clinical practice. Jean Martin Charcot described neuropathic joint in 1868. He has shown occurrence of NA in cases of syringomyelia and tabes dorsalis. Since then NA has been described in various other conditions. Knee and ankle joints are most commonly affected. Occurrence of neuropathic joint in upper extremity is very rare. Elbow is less commonly affected joint. We describe two cases of NA of elbow joint with unusual presentation. One patient presented with 3 month history of elbow injury with gross destruction of elbow joint. Another patient presented with acute swelling of elbow joint mimicking septic arthritis with ulnar nerve involvement. We reviewed literature to discuss etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment available for NA of elbow joint.