Health Tips

What is Synovitis?

Synovitis is the inflammation of the synovium in the joint where synovium is the connective tissue that lines the inside of a joint capsule. Inside this joint capsule, there lies the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint and reduces friction on the articular cartilage during friction. 

 

Causes:

 

  • Overuse of joint (athletes, repetitive lifting or squating)

 

  • Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, psoriatic arthritis)

 

  • Trauma 

 

Symptoms to look out for:

Although the main symptom would be joint pain, other signs to look out for are as below. Sometimes, the pain can be worse than it looks on the outside. 

 

  • Soft tissue swelling

  • Warmth over a joint

  • Joint line tenderness to palpation

  • Joint effusion

  • Loss of motion

 

Treatment

  • Rest 

  • Anti-inflammatory medications - DMARDS (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs)

  • Steroid injections 

  • Surgery - to remove the synovium itself 

 

 

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Reference: 

  1. https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_synovitis.asp

  2. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-adult-with-polyarticular-pain?search=polyarthritis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1

  3. https://creakyjoints.org/education/what-is-synovitis/

 

Picture credit:

  1. https://creakyjoints.org/education/what-is-synovitis/

  2. https://stock.adobe.com/images/synovial-joint-chart-labeled-anatomy-infographic-with-two-bones-articular-cartilage-joint-cavity-synovial-fluid-muscle-and-tendon-isolated-vector-illustration-on-white/283881086

  3. https://www.ebrookfitness.co.uk/exercise/should-women-train-differently-to-men/

  4. https://www.rheumatologyadvisor.com/slideshow/rheumatoid-arthritis-advisor/skeletal-complications-in-rheumatoid-arthritis-a-comprehensive-review/

  5. https://www.elastoplast.com.au/injury-advice/muscle-and-joint-pain/common-joint-and-muscle-injuries

  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_effusion

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Written by

Dr. Jessamine Chong Sze Lynn

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