Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is the Synovium?Synovitis SymptomsCauses of SynovitisDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is the Synovium?
Synovitis Symptoms
Causes of Synovitis
Diagnosis
Treatment
Synovitisis a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of thesynovialtissue, the lining of a joint. This condition can cause joint pain and swelling. It is the hallmark of all inflammatory joint diseases.
This article will explain what synovial tissue is, the causes of synovitis, and how you can treat the condition so you can gain relief from the inflammation and pain.
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Thesynoviumis a thin layer of tissue that lines the joints and tendon sheaths; it is only a few cells thick.The synovium acts to control the environment within the joint and tendon sheath. It does this in two ways:
The signs of synovitis are similar to other joint disorders:
You may feel the symptoms of synovium inflammation in different joints throughout your body, or the pain and discomfort might be restricted to one area.
Treating Knee Synovitis Swelling and Pain
The primary cause of inflammation of the synovium is related to an overactive immune system. In these situations, your immune system attacks your healthy synovium. This causes excessive growth of the synovium. The membrane becomes inflamed and produces additional synovial fluid.
With these conditions, the joint cartilage and bone can eventually become damaged, leading to stiffness, swelling, warmth in the joint, and significant pain.
Inflammation of the synovial tissue is often related toarthritic conditions. It’s most common inrheumatoid arthritis(RA). However, it also presents withpsoriaticarthritis,lupus, andgout.
Synovitis can also be seen with trauma and infection.
Autoimmune Arthritis
Osteoarthritiscan also lead to synovitis. It seems to manifest as the disease becomes progressively worse.
Synovitis Without ArthritisEven if you do not have a joint disease such as RA, you may develop synovitis ifyou participate in activities that involve repetitive movements or motions that put stress on joints.
Synovitis Without Arthritis
Even if you do not have a joint disease such as RA, you may develop synovitis ifyou participate in activities that involve repetitive movements or motions that put stress on joints.
When diagnosing synovitis, a healthcare provider usually starts with a physical exam of the joints, checking for warmth and seeing if they are tender when touched. The thickening of the area manifests as a sponginess that can be felt.
Differential DiagnosisOne aim of the exam is to determine whether the problem is actually with the joint and synovial tissue, and confirm that it is not a problem with the tendon (tendonitis).
Differential Diagnosis
One aim of the exam is to determine whether the problem is actually with the joint and synovial tissue, and confirm that it is not a problem with the tendon (tendonitis).
To reduce inflammation and relieve pain, your healthcare provider will likely advise rest andnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), like Advil (ibuprofen).
Disease-modifyingantirheumaticdrugs(DMARDs) that help manage arthritis may also relieve symptoms of synovitis. Sometimes, your healthcare provider may prescribesteroid injectionsto reduce swelling and discomfort.
If medication does not help ease synovitis, you may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who can perform asynovectomy. This is a procedure in which part of the synovium is removed.
Summary
Synovitis is the medical term for inflammation of the tissue that lines your joints. This tissue can become damaged, which leads to a thickening of the membrane and excessive fluid. An underlying autoimmune disease that affects the joints, usually RA, is the most likely cause of synovitis, but other types of arthritis and wear and tear can also cause it.
Anti-inflammatory medications are the first line of treatment. However, DMARDS, steroid injections, or even surgery may be required to relieve your pain.
A Word From Verywell
Not all joint pain is alike. Before you chalk your aches and stiffness up to age or overuse and think there’s little you can do, discuss the problem with your healthcare provider. Your joint pain may be related to inflammation that can be treated, and your discomfort may be able to be managed with medication or lifestyle changes.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smith MD.The normal synovium.Open Rheumatol J. 2011;5:100–106. doi:10.2174/1874312901105010100Creaky Joints.What is synovitis, and how does it affect arthritis?Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.Mathiessen A, Conaghan PG.Synovitis in osteoarthritis: current understanding with therapeutic implications.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):18.Additional ReadingAdelani MA, et al.Benign synovial disorders.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 May;16(5):268-75. doi:10.5435/00124635-200805000-00005
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Smith MD.The normal synovium.Open Rheumatol J. 2011;5:100–106. doi:10.2174/1874312901105010100Creaky Joints.What is synovitis, and how does it affect arthritis?Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.Mathiessen A, Conaghan PG.Synovitis in osteoarthritis: current understanding with therapeutic implications.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):18.Additional ReadingAdelani MA, et al.Benign synovial disorders.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 May;16(5):268-75. doi:10.5435/00124635-200805000-00005
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Smith MD.The normal synovium.Open Rheumatol J. 2011;5:100–106. doi:10.2174/1874312901105010100Creaky Joints.What is synovitis, and how does it affect arthritis?Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.Mathiessen A, Conaghan PG.Synovitis in osteoarthritis: current understanding with therapeutic implications.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):18.
Smith MD.The normal synovium.Open Rheumatol J. 2011;5:100–106. doi:10.2174/1874312901105010100
Creaky Joints.What is synovitis, and how does it affect arthritis?
Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.
Mathiessen A, Conaghan PG.Synovitis in osteoarthritis: current understanding with therapeutic implications.Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):18.
Adelani MA, et al.Benign synovial disorders.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 May;16(5):268-75. doi:10.5435/00124635-200805000-00005
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