Cartilaginous intra-articular bodies float freely within the synovial fluid, which they require for nutrition and growth.

It affects primarily large joints, including knee (>50% of cases), elbow, hip, and shoulder.

[citation needed] Clicking, grating, or locking may result from acute mechanical problems due to intra-articular bodies within the affected joint.

[2] Typical finding is of multiple, smooth, oval-shaped calcified masses within the joint space or bursa.

With serial imaging, masses may be found to change in size, disappear, or migrate to recessed areas of the joint.

[citation needed] CT is best utilized in earlier stages of the disease process before cartilaginous bodies have calcified (become filled with calcium).

CT can effectively detect non-calcified masses or those with only minimal calcification, which allows the radiologist to distinguish this condition from a simple joint effusion.

Partly calcified intra-articular bodies demonstrate foci of absent signal on all pulse sequences.

The synovium of the involved joint demonstrates villous hyperplasia, which imparts a wrinkled appearance on gross examination.

[3] Intra-articular bodies in SOC typically have popcorn calcification, with a dense sclerotic border with radiolucent central region.

Patients who have recurrent intra-articular bodies or in whom the entire synovial lining is metaplastic require total synovectomy.