Synovitis of the Knee Joints in Late Congenital Syphilis

Attention is called to the fact that synovitis of the knee joints may occur in children between the ages of 8 and 15 years as a late manifestation of congenital syphilis. In this series of cases, signs of inflammation were a prominent feature and would have suggested other diagnoses had not the presence of congenital syphilis been established. In all cases the synovitis resolved spontaneously after several months and left no residual joint damage. Since the incidence of syphilis is increasing at present, it is important that the diagnosis of late congenital syphilis be kept in mind in considering any case of synovitis of the knees in children.