Secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (HOA), also known as Marie-Bamberger syndrome, is a rare neoplastic syndrome featuring clubbing of the tips of the digits, periosteal proliferation and synovial effusion of adjacent joints. We report a case where a patient without any other known medical condition developed persistent arthralgia and mobility restriction after bruising the left knee. As the initial X-ray examination of the knee showed a distinct periosteal proliferation of the left femoral bone, extended diagnostics were initiated during which a bronchial carcinoma was identified. After surgical removal of the primary tumor the symptoms of irritation in the knee joint recovered totally.