Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Pigmentedvillonodular synovitis(PVNS) is a rare type of growth that can involve joints throughout the body but occurs most commonly in the knees. PVNS is typically categorized as localized or diffuse. It is also calledtenosynovialgiant cell tumor when it occurs in a tendon.
This article discusses the symptoms and complications of PVNS. It also looks at the causes, triggers, diagnosis, and treatment.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Symptoms and Signs of PVNS
This condition typically affects adults before age 50, and it can have a tendency to grow or recur in the same location after treatment. PVNS typically affects only one joint, but it can affect more than one joint in some cases. It does not tend to spread to far-away areas in the body.
Symptoms include:
Complications
Joint degeneration, including bone, ligament, and tendon breakdown, can be a late-stage consequence of PVNS. Initially, the process may not cause any symptoms at all. However, severe degeneration of the joint can result in instability or severe pain and even the inability to walk.
It is important to seek medical attention if you have a persistently swollen joint, even if you aren’t experiencing significant discomfort.
What Causes Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis?
Treating Knee Synovitis Swelling and Pain
Triggers
How to Diagnose Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
This type of tumor can be evaluated based on your history and test results. If you have symptoms of PVNS, you may have one or more of the following evaluations:
Synovial Fluid Analysis
How Do You Treat Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis?
Once you have a diagnosis of PVNS, over-the-counter or prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication may be helpful to reduce your swelling and discomfort. Because the tumor tends to grow and can cause substantial degeneration of the joint, your healthcare provider may recommend interventions such assurgeryor radiation.
Surgery
The tumor can take up space and, as it grows, cause degeneration in the joint. It may also encroach on the bones, potentially causing bone degeneration. For this reason, your healthcare provider may recommend surgical removal of the growth as a way to avoid damage to your joint.
In some instances, the tumor may grow back after the surgery. If the tumor involves other structures besides the lining of the joint, surgical repair of the affected structures (such as the tendons), in addition to tumor resection, may also be necessary.
Radiation
Sometimes radiation therapy is used to shrink the tumor. Radiation therapy can be effective in reducing the risk of recurrence in some cases. As with surgery, there can beside effects of radiation, so the decision about ideal treatment requires a careful and individualized approach.
Summary
PVNS has been described as a growth or a tumor in the lining of the joint. While it is accurately labeled as a tumor, it is not cancer and it is not typically life-threatening.
However, PVNS can be destructive to your joints. If you have been given this diagnosis, you do need to give it attention (even if the symptoms are mild) to avoid the potential complications associated with its progression. Treatment often involves surgery to remove the growth, but may include radiation therapy in some cases.
1 SourceVerywell 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.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pigmented villonodular synovitis.Additional ReadingSimonetta R, Florio M, Familiari F, Gasparini G, Rosa MA.All-Arthroscopic Treatment of Intra- and Extra-Articular Localized Villonodular Synovitis of Knee.Joints. 2017 Aug 8;5(3):184-187. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1605586. eCollection 2017 Sep.Stephan SR, Shallop B, Lackman R, Kim TW, Mulcahey MK.Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis: A Comprehensive Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm. JBJS Rev. 2016 Jul 19;4(7). pii: 01874474-201607000-00005. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.15.00086.
1 Source
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.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pigmented villonodular synovitis.Additional ReadingSimonetta R, Florio M, Familiari F, Gasparini G, Rosa MA.All-Arthroscopic Treatment of Intra- and Extra-Articular Localized Villonodular Synovitis of Knee.Joints. 2017 Aug 8;5(3):184-187. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1605586. eCollection 2017 Sep.Stephan SR, Shallop B, Lackman R, Kim TW, Mulcahey MK.Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis: A Comprehensive Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm. JBJS Rev. 2016 Jul 19;4(7). pii: 01874474-201607000-00005. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.15.00086.
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.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pigmented villonodular synovitis.
Simonetta R, Florio M, Familiari F, Gasparini G, Rosa MA.All-Arthroscopic Treatment of Intra- and Extra-Articular Localized Villonodular Synovitis of Knee.Joints. 2017 Aug 8;5(3):184-187. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1605586. eCollection 2017 Sep.Stephan SR, Shallop B, Lackman R, Kim TW, Mulcahey MK.Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis: A Comprehensive Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm. JBJS Rev. 2016 Jul 19;4(7). pii: 01874474-201607000-00005. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.15.00086.
Simonetta R, Florio M, Familiari F, Gasparini G, Rosa MA.All-Arthroscopic Treatment of Intra- and Extra-Articular Localized Villonodular Synovitis of Knee.Joints. 2017 Aug 8;5(3):184-187. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1605586. eCollection 2017 Sep.
Stephan SR, Shallop B, Lackman R, Kim TW, Mulcahey MK.Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis: A Comprehensive Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm. JBJS Rev. 2016 Jul 19;4(7). pii: 01874474-201607000-00005. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.15.00086.
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