Synovitis of the knee following a high-pressure injection injury with hydraulic oil

Abstract

High-pressure injection injuries occur when equipment capable of achieving high pressure injects its contents into the human body. These injuries are largely occupational and may present as small entrance wounds with very few symptoms. However, they represent a surgical emergency, often requiring amputation. They characteristically involve the upper extremities, but other regions of the body may be injured. We present the case of a 26-year-old man who sustained a high-pressure injection injury with hydraulic oil to the knee and a literature review of this type of accident. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe such an injury to the knee, with magnetic resonance imaging findings.