Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPain from InflammationSymptoms of Knee SynovitisKnee Synovitis and ArthritisCausesTests and DiagnosticsFirst-Line TreatmentComplementary TherapiesSurgeryRecovery

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Pain from Inflammation

Symptoms of Knee Synovitis

Knee Synovitis and Arthritis

Causes

Tests and Diagnostics

First-Line Treatment

Complementary Therapies

Surgery

Recovery

Knee synovitisis inflammation of thesynovium, a membrane that lines the joints and the tendons surrounding the joints. Inflammation in the synovium of the knee can lead to various symptoms, including swelling and pain.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for knee synovitis.

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Doctor checking knee of female patient

Knee Synovitis Pain From Fluid Inflammation

Differentanatomical points in the kneemay be affected when the synovial membrane becomes inflamed in knee synovitis. The posterior cruciate ligament, thestrongest ligament in the knee, is one of the most common areas affected. It runs down the back of the leg, from the top of the bone between the knee and ankle, and the bottom of the bone that runs from the pelvis to the knee.

The suprapatellar region is also likely to be affected. It is located on the front side of the leg, between the leg bone in the thigh and the quadriceps tendon.

When people develop knee synovitis, they experience various symptoms associated with the disease because of inflammation and damage. The symptoms associated with knee synovitis include:

What Causes Symptoms?

Knee synovitis can be due to certain types of arthritis, but in some types of arthritis, the synovium is unaffected. That said, many types of arthritis can cause knee synovitis.

What’s Causing My Knee Infection and How Do I Treat It?

Knee Synovitis Causes

There are two leading causes of knee synovitis: overuse and an underlying health condition that affects the joints. In healthy and active individuals, swelling of the synovium can occur due to an overworking of the knee. The stress put on the joint drives an inflammatory response and the symptoms that come with that inflammation.

Certain types ofarthritisand other health disorders are associated with knee synovitis, including:

Knee Arthritis Causes

Knee arthritisis not always associated with with knee synovitis. Knee arthritis can cause synovitis, but that’s not always the case. Other causes of knee arthritis include:

Can Knee Synovitis Cause Knee Arthritis?Synovitis and arthritis are closely related but are two different conditions, but, in some cases, knee synovitis can lead to the development ofosteoarthritis, a form of degenerative arthritis that worsens over time.

Can Knee Synovitis Cause Knee Arthritis?

Synovitis and arthritis are closely related but are two different conditions, but, in some cases, knee synovitis can lead to the development ofosteoarthritis, a form of degenerative arthritis that worsens over time.

Tests and Imaging to Diagnose Knee Synovitis

There are several imaging tests used in the diagnostic process of knee synovitis. They aim to detect the presence and severity of the inflammation. Tests used include:

These tests diagnose knee synovitis when combined with a health history and symptoms that point to the disease. The imaging tests are also used to determine the severity of synovitis.

First-Line Knee Synovitis Treatment

Treatments for knee synovitis center around reducing symptoms and managing any underlying health disorders that drive knee inflammation.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) are typically given first to reduce pain and inflammation.

Other treatments can include:

What Happens If Treatment Doesn’t Work?If first-line therapies do not help with your knee synovitis, you may have to undergo surgery or consider alternative therapies alongside first-line treatments to improve symptoms further.

What Happens If Treatment Doesn’t Work?

If first-line therapies do not help with your knee synovitis, you may have to undergo surgery or consider alternative therapies alongside first-line treatments to improve symptoms further.

While little scientific evidence exists on alternative therapies for knee synovitis, some of these treatments may help to reduce pain and swelling while you take other medications or explore other medical treatments. Some options include:

Using Rest and Ice/Heat AppropriatelyWhen using rest or ice/heat to cope with symptoms of knee synovitis, it’s important to limit how often you do so. This is because too much rest or ice can harm the joint, which could cause more problems in the long term.

Using Rest and Ice/Heat Appropriately

When using rest or ice/heat to cope with symptoms of knee synovitis, it’s important to limit how often you do so. This is because too much rest or ice can harm the joint, which could cause more problems in the long term.

Surgical Considerations for Knee Synovitis

If medications and other therapies do not work for knee synovitis and you continue to experience worsened pain and inflammation, your healthcare provider may recommend a surgery known as synovectomy. The surgery removes the synovium entirely.

There are two types of synovectomies:arthroscopicand open. An arthroscopic procedure is less invasive than open. According to studies, both types of surgery have similar results. Both surgeries provide relief relatively quickly following the procedure.

Open vs. ArthroscopicBoth types of surgeries will yield good results in terms of symptom relief. However, since an open synovectomy requires more invasive techniques, healing from this type may take longer and come with more postsurgical pain.

Open vs. Arthroscopic

Both types of surgeries will yield good results in terms of symptom relief. However, since an open synovectomy requires more invasive techniques, healing from this type may take longer and come with more postsurgical pain.

Recovery Period, Walking, and Physical Therapy

It can be hard to determine an exact timeline for recovery after a synovectomy because all people are different. Typically, a person will have to getphysical therapystarting one or two days following surgery to help improve the mobility and flexibility of the knee while it heals.

People will also have to continue taking their medications as prescribed even after surgery to prevent the inflammation from returning.You are also encouraged to walk following surgery and put weight on the knee while avoiding strenuous activities.

You will likely do a follow-up with your healthcare provider within seven to 10 days following surgery, where you will learn the next steps in the healing process.

Living With Chronic SymptomsWhen you have chronic symptoms of knee synovitis, it’s essential to explore your treatment options with your healthcare provider. You do not have to live with pain. In the meantime, you can focus on walking an adequate amount to keep the joint and muscles around it mobile and rest the knee for a period every day.

Living With Chronic Symptoms

When you have chronic symptoms of knee synovitis, it’s essential to explore your treatment options with your healthcare provider. You do not have to live with pain. In the meantime, you can focus on walking an adequate amount to keep the joint and muscles around it mobile and rest the knee for a period every day.

Summary

Knee synovitis can be a painful and debilitating condition, but several options can help reduce pain and improve mobility. Surgery is the last resort because first-line therapies, such as pain medications and steroid injections, can often reduce symptoms and inflammation causing symptoms.

Complementary therapies are an excellent addition to a treatment plan and can improve knee synovitis. If you experience knee pain and swelling, contact your healthcare provider. They will help you determine what is causing it and offer treatment options.

11 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.Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.Roemer FW, Kassim Javaid M, Guermazi A, Thomas M, Kiran A, Keen R, King L, Arden NK.Anatomical distribution of synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and its association with joint effusion assessed on non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2010 Oct;18(10):1269-74. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2010.07.008Creaky Joints.What is synovitis and how does it affect arthritis?Goyal T, Paul S, Kundu Choudhury A, Kalonia T.Monoarticular synovitis of knee: dealing with the dilemma.SICOT J.2020;6:48. doi:10.1051/sicotj/2020044American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info.Arthritis of the knee.Felson DT, Niu J, Neogi T, Goggins J, Nevitt MC, Roemer F, Torner J, Lewis CE, Guermazi A; MOST Investigators Group.Synovitis and the risk of knee osteoarthritis: The MOST study.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2016 Mar;24(3):458-64. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2015.09.013MedlinePlus.Synovial fluid analysis.Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases.2021 Jun 16;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Pan X, Zhang X, Liu Z, Wen H, Mao X.Treatment for chronic synovitis of knee: Arthroscopic or open synovectomy.Rheumatol Int.2012 Jun;32(6):1733-6. doi:10.1007/s00296-011-1901-3Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovectomy: Surgery for inflammatory arthritis.Orthopedic Associates of Hartford.Arthroscopic synovectomy.

11 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.Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.Roemer FW, Kassim Javaid M, Guermazi A, Thomas M, Kiran A, Keen R, King L, Arden NK.Anatomical distribution of synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and its association with joint effusion assessed on non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2010 Oct;18(10):1269-74. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2010.07.008Creaky Joints.What is synovitis and how does it affect arthritis?Goyal T, Paul S, Kundu Choudhury A, Kalonia T.Monoarticular synovitis of knee: dealing with the dilemma.SICOT J.2020;6:48. doi:10.1051/sicotj/2020044American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info.Arthritis of the knee.Felson DT, Niu J, Neogi T, Goggins J, Nevitt MC, Roemer F, Torner J, Lewis CE, Guermazi A; MOST Investigators Group.Synovitis and the risk of knee osteoarthritis: The MOST study.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2016 Mar;24(3):458-64. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2015.09.013MedlinePlus.Synovial fluid analysis.Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases.2021 Jun 16;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Pan X, Zhang X, Liu Z, Wen H, Mao X.Treatment for chronic synovitis of knee: Arthroscopic or open synovectomy.Rheumatol Int.2012 Jun;32(6):1733-6. doi:10.1007/s00296-011-1901-3Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovectomy: Surgery for inflammatory arthritis.Orthopedic Associates of Hartford.Arthroscopic synovectomy.

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.

Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.Roemer FW, Kassim Javaid M, Guermazi A, Thomas M, Kiran A, Keen R, King L, Arden NK.Anatomical distribution of synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and its association with joint effusion assessed on non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2010 Oct;18(10):1269-74. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2010.07.008Creaky Joints.What is synovitis and how does it affect arthritis?Goyal T, Paul S, Kundu Choudhury A, Kalonia T.Monoarticular synovitis of knee: dealing with the dilemma.SICOT J.2020;6:48. doi:10.1051/sicotj/2020044American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info.Arthritis of the knee.Felson DT, Niu J, Neogi T, Goggins J, Nevitt MC, Roemer F, Torner J, Lewis CE, Guermazi A; MOST Investigators Group.Synovitis and the risk of knee osteoarthritis: The MOST study.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2016 Mar;24(3):458-64. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2015.09.013MedlinePlus.Synovial fluid analysis.Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases.2021 Jun 16;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116Pan X, Zhang X, Liu Z, Wen H, Mao X.Treatment for chronic synovitis of knee: Arthroscopic or open synovectomy.Rheumatol Int.2012 Jun;32(6):1733-6. doi:10.1007/s00296-011-1901-3Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovectomy: Surgery for inflammatory arthritis.Orthopedic Associates of Hartford.Arthroscopic synovectomy.

Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovitis.

Roemer FW, Kassim Javaid M, Guermazi A, Thomas M, Kiran A, Keen R, King L, Arden NK.Anatomical distribution of synovitis in knee osteoarthritis and its association with joint effusion assessed on non-enhanced and contrast-enhanced MRI.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2010 Oct;18(10):1269-74. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2010.07.008

Creaky Joints.What is synovitis and how does it affect arthritis?

Goyal T, Paul S, Kundu Choudhury A, Kalonia T.Monoarticular synovitis of knee: dealing with the dilemma.SICOT J.2020;6:48. doi:10.1051/sicotj/2020044

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info.Arthritis of the knee.

Felson DT, Niu J, Neogi T, Goggins J, Nevitt MC, Roemer F, Torner J, Lewis CE, Guermazi A; MOST Investigators Group.Synovitis and the risk of knee osteoarthritis: The MOST study.Osteoarthritis Cartilage.2016 Mar;24(3):458-64. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2015.09.013

MedlinePlus.Synovial fluid analysis.

Wang ZR, Ni GX.Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?World J Clin Cases.2021 Jun 16;9(17):4116-4122. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i17.4116

Pan X, Zhang X, Liu Z, Wen H, Mao X.Treatment for chronic synovitis of knee: Arthroscopic or open synovectomy.Rheumatol Int.2012 Jun;32(6):1733-6. doi:10.1007/s00296-011-1901-3

Hospital for Special Surgery.Synovectomy: Surgery for inflammatory arthritis.

Orthopedic Associates of Hartford.Arthroscopic synovectomy.

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