Four cases of familial Mediterranean fever have been reported in which
the disease produced organic damage to a joint. The diagnosis was confirmed
by clinical and family history and a typical course which included attacks
of recurrent joint synovitis. The laboratory findings, while typical, were
not specific. The main involvement was in the lower limbs. The findings at
operation were of a non-specific synovitis with destruction of cartilage.
It is emphasized that in the majority of cases of familial Mediterranean
fever the joint involvement is transient and only uncommonly does damage to
the joint become permanent. The fact that organic joint damage occurs is
not widely recognized, which is the reason for our report of these four
cases.