Synovitis

The primary cause of synovium inflammation is related to an overactive immune system. In those situations, the immune system attacks a healthy synovium which causes excessive growth of the synovium. The synovial membrane becomes inflamed and procedures additional synovial fluid. Under those conditions, the joint cartilage and bone become damaged, leading to stiffness, swelling, and warmth in the joint, along with significant pain. Other causes of synovitis include:

• Overuse or overworking the joint with repetitive motion
• Blunt hit or direct injury
• Gout
• Lupus
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Allergic reaction
• Septic arthritis

Signs and symptoms of synovitis depend on the area of the body that is affected. Most people with synovitis will experience these symptoms:

• Joint pain that ranges from mild to severe
• Swelling
• Difficulty moving the affected area
• Thickening of the tissue
• Increased blood flow to the affected area
• Increased fluid production

The pain of synovitis can sometimes be more severe than it may appear because there may not be visible evidence of injury or swelling. 

Common Types of Synovitis

Synovitis is a condition that takes many forms, including:

• Acute Synovitis: This type of synovitis is caused by joint volume increase for a few hours to an entire day. The shape and contour of the knee may change. It may also come along with increased body temperature, joint restriction, and pain.
• Chronic synovitis: Chronic synovitis is not as common as acute synovitis. It often develops along with fatigue when walking or aching pain and discomfort.
• Reactive synovitis: This is a type of synovitis that causes an increase in the volume of fluid in the joint. Reactive synovitis can cause limited mobility. It is not a common type of synovitis and tends to develop when there’s an allergic reaction or something else present.
• Post-traumatic synovitis: This is the most common type of synovitis, which is caused by injuries, abrasions, or cuts. When the synovium is damaged, the body reacts by swelling up and causing pain. 

Synovitis is a type of inflammation that can be painful and annoying to live with, so it’s important to consult an experienced healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Synovitis can be present in any part of the body. It typically affects the knees, ankles, jaw, shoulders, hips, and wrists. It may affect one or more of these regions at the same time, depending on the cause of the inflammation. 

• Synovitis in the knee: The most common type of synovitis found is often in the knees. Synovitis affects the bending of the knee and makes it difficult to walk. It may also be paired with shooting pain in the knee.
• Synovitis in the ankle: Synovitis in the ankle joints makes walking difficult and can cause severe pain. It may also cause the person to limp in response to the pressure applied to the joint. 
• Synovitis in the jaw: When inflammation occurs in the temporomandibular joint, it makes movement (yawning or chewing) painful. This synovitis can cause radiating pain in the head, neck, and ears. 
• Synovitis in the shoulder: Synovitis may impact one or both shoulders, making it difficult to raise arms and perform even the simplest task. 
• Synovitis in the hip: Hips take on a lot of pressure as a person walks and bends. As a result, synovitis in the hips can be incredibly painful and make it difficult to perform daily activities and responsibilities.
• Synovitis in the wrist: Inflammation in the wrists make it hard to perform tasks, and people can experience significant pain trying to move their wrist. 

While you may not feel severe pain, pain is not the only signal that you may have synovitis. Synovitis can cause joint tenderness, and you may feel hard lumps near the joints. 

Contact Our Experienced Surgeons at NJ Spine & Orthopedic Today

When you’ve experienced pain that won’t go away, despite trying various conservative methods, it’s probably time to seek out a medical professional with experience treating and diagnosing synovitis. At NJ Spine & Orthopedic, we prioritize patient-centered care that ensures each patient receives personalized care and attention. Each condition and patient is unique, and the diagnosing and treating process must be individually tailored. 

NJ Spine & Orthopedic is dedicated to eliminating the pain, discomfort, and dysfunction that our patients are experiencing. Our comprehensible services range from non-surgical, conservative methods to gentle, minimally invasive procedures designed to help our patients regain their quality of life. The NJ Spine & Orthopedic surgeons dedicate themselves to achieving the best possible results for every patient. Schedule an appointment with NJ Spine & Orthopedic today by calling (866) 553-0612 or completing our contact form.