Inflammatory processes inside the joints, most often in the knee joint, can lead to synovitis in arthrosis. Moreover, if we talk about knee synovitis, then the right knee is affected, less often the left one, and, extremely rarely, both knee joints. This is explained by frequent injuries to the lower extremities, where infections occur after injuries and fluid accumulates in the synovium, leading to tissue deformation.
In addition to common knee synovitis, arthrosis can cause:
The etiology of synovitis and arthrosis is largely similar. The development of the disease is influenced by factors such as infections, injuries (sprains, dislocations, fractures) of bones, especially the lower extremities; metabolic and immune system disorders. Arthritis and gout also provoke the occurrence of synovitis of the knee or hip joint with arthrosis.
Synovitis can be recognized by a dull pain in the knee joint where fluid has accumulated. However, pain symptoms do not always appear immediately. Noticeable signs include joint stiffness, increased body temperature, and swelling of the knee or other affected bone joint. When examined by a doctor, to confirm the diagnosis, you will have to undergo a puncture - taking intra-articular fluid from the synovium for analysis.
Synovitis with arthrosis is quite easily confused with other diseases, so a thorough examination is required.
After confirming the diagnosis and finding out the reasons that caused arthrosis with synovitis, treatment should be started immediately. It must be comprehensive and multilateral so as not to lead to dire consequences.
First of all, the attending physician usually prescribes anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs): diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin, etc. The so-called immobilization of diseased joints is carried out, i.e. restriction of mobility in order to preserve the cartilaginous and soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Advanced synovitis will require treatment with corticosteroids.
Hypothermia (treatment of knee synovitis with cold compresses) is another opportunity to “knock down” the inflammatory process inside the joint capsule. Widespread methods of orthopedics are the application of knee pads, elastic bandages, elbow bandages, and cervical collars. This is done to limit mobility for several days or even a week in case of acute arthrosis accompanied by synovitis.
In case of complications, doctors resort to surgical methods: pumping out pus from the joint, “cleaning up” dead areas of tissue.
Traditional medicine also makes its irreplaceable contribution to combat inflammation of the synovial membrane. Usually these are physiotherapeutic remedies based on compresses, lotions, infusions of medicinal herbs and plants: celandine, comfrey, thyme, oregano, mistletoe, St. John's wort, cinquefoil, calamus and licorice roots, etc.
For example, such a recipe is known using birch leaves and tansy, mistletoe, as well as walnuts, which are taken in equal parts. Pour boiling water over and let stand for an hour. Take several times during the day. A useful decoction that improves weakened immunity, saturates the body with necessary substances, and enhances permeability in the capillaries.
A simple way to help joints with synovitis and arthrosis is associated with laurel oil, which can be obtained at home. To do this, grind two or three tablespoons of bay leaf and pour in a glass of olive or sunflower oil. Cover the resulting mixture tightly and leave to infuse for seven days. The tincture is filtered and used for its intended purpose as a rubbing agent daily.
Arthrosis has a significant impact on synovitis, and vice versa: synovitis very often provokes arthrosis, especially gonarthrosis of the knee and hip joints. The causes and symptoms may resemble other diseases, as a result of which the diagnosis must be carried out quite extensively and professionally. Based on the etiology of synovitis and the general condition of the patient’s body, the doctor will prescribe treatment. Do not neglect this banal advice: do not engage in self-diagnosis and self-medication! However, it will not be superfluous to help your body using traditional methods along with conservative treatment.
Synovitis of the knee joint is a common pathology that is associated with inflammation of the articular connective tissue of the synovial membrane.
As a result, fluid begins to accumulate in it, which in the future may become purulent. The disease is very serious and requires special attention. The largest of all the joints in the human skeleton is the knee. The importance of its functions is difficult to overestimate. It not only gives us the opportunity to walk and run, but also implements the support function.
As a result, it is the knee that is most often exposed to various types of injuries. In medicine, the International Classification of Diseases, revision, is used. Since January, the ICD has been a generally accepted international classification of medical diagnosis codes. It was developed by the World Health Organization. This classification has 21 sections and subsections.
The sections contain a list of disease codes. The ICD is a normative document that helps keep records of morbidity throughout the world. The traumatic type is more common than others. This disease has been studied most thoroughly and has a wide range of treatment options. A special case that requires attention is the development of synovitis against the background of an existing lesion of the knee.
Such cases lead to the development of a reactive type of synovitis of the joint. To accurately determine the pathology, the symptoms of synovitis of the knee joint are important. Among them there are several dominant ones, which are inherent in all types of this disease:. Knowing the main symptoms will help you quickly determine the nature of the injury. If you identify all of the above symptoms, you should seek help from a doctor as soon as possible. It is one of the types of this disease. In the acute form, the volume of the knee increases for a period of time from several hours to a day. At the same time, the contours of the knee are smoothed out and its shape changes. Other accompanying symptoms include increased body temperature, pain on palpation, and limited joint movements. All of the above symptoms appear gradually, but swelling of the joint is observed within minutes. Unlike the reactive form, pathology cannot occur on its own. As practice shows, the following diseases can be the causes of the development of the disease: Moderate synovitis of the knee joint is the initial form of the disease. As a rule, at this stage the disease responds well to treatment.
With this form of the disease, the following symptoms can be observed:. The exudative form of pathology can develop not only in the knee area, but also in the hip joint area. The cause, most often, is a previous injury or bruise. If treatment for synovitis of the knee joint is started in a timely manner, the disease goes away almost without a trace. At the same time, it is worth noting that in the absence of the correct course of therapy, purulent synovitis begins to develop, which can even lead to disability. In addition, the cause of chondromalacia of the patella, which provokes gonarthrosis, is often knee injuries. That is why the risk group for this disease includes not only older people, whose cartilage components are destroyed faster than they are synthesized, but also professional athletes, especially boxers, wrestlers, runners, football players, dancers, stuntmen, fans of extreme sports and ordinary citizens, whose work or lifestyle is associated with increased stress on the joints. However, in most cases, gonarthrosis affects women who are overweight or have varicose veins of the lower extremities. In this case, arthrosis usually affects the joints of both knees, but it happens that for a long time, pain is felt only in one of them. Gonarthrosis, as a rule, is somewhat milder than coxarthrosis, and less often leads to disability. Clinical symptoms of gonarthrosis are very diverse. In the initial period, there is rapid fatigue of the lower extremities, pain when climbing, even more pain when going down stairs, when getting up after rest, as well as in damp and cold weather and after being on your feet for a long time.
Due to irritation of the synovial membrane by pieces of torn cartilage and the development of reactive synovitis, pain can be acute. In this case, the accumulation of a large amount of exudate and bulging of the suprapatellar bursa and pockets of the composite capsule are possible. A rough crunch in the initial period of the disease is determined by palpation, and in advanced cases it is heard at a distance. There is pain below the patella, along its edges and when the patella is displaced in the medial and lateral directions. As a result of a decrease in the elasticity and strength of the thigh muscles, as well as the development of lateral deformations, a decrease in the volume of active and passive movements in the knee joints occurs. During any arthrosis, three stages are clearly distinguished. This form of synovitis occurs in patients with rheumatism and gout. For various joint and meniscus injuries, low joint mobility or genetic ligament disease. Treatment of exudative synovitis will be aimed at improving the mobility and function of the knee joint. This type of disease is currently poorly studied. It has been determined that the characteristic symptoms of villonodular synovitis are severe pain, difficulty moving, arthritis and arthrosis of the knee joint. Villonodular synovitis is an autoimmune disease that results in the formation of free cavities in the knee joint. New growths are found in the cavity, and synovitis itself is characterized as a benign tumor disease. There are several ways to treat synovitis. In most cases, a complex of puncture and further drug treatment is necessary. If medications do not provide sufficient effect, specialists may resort to surgery. It must be remembered that when the first signs of synovitis occur, the knee must be secured with a tight bandage in a straightened form and contact a specialist as soon as possible to prescribe treatment.
Puncture is both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. The puncture involves suctioning out excess accumulated effusion, after which antibiotics are injected into the vacated joint cavity to prevent infection. The puncture is performed without anesthesia. Immobilization is used for any form of the disease. It is performed using a plaster cast, orthosis, bandage, splint, but for a period of no more than six days. Immobilization promotes rapid recovery of the joint. As an addition, the doctor may advise the patient on maintenance therapy with folk remedies. Synovitis is treated at various stages using folk remedies. They can be used at the postoperative stage, in conjunction with general treatment. Here are a few recipes from the folk medicine cabinet: Treatment for any moderate synovitis begins with an examination by a doctor. If the patient does not know the cause of pain in any part of the body, he should first consult with a general practitioner - a therapist. The specialist will prescribe blood tests, conduct an external examination, and refer you to a specialist if necessary. If pain occurs after an injury, you should immediately contact a traumatologist. To confirm the diagnosis, the patient is sent to undergo laboratory tests, X-rays and ultrasound of the affected joint. Also, for synovitis, puncture of synovial fluid is indicated; it is performed in order to identify the composition of the effusion in the joint cavity and remove it for a speedy recovery. As a rule, non-infectious or allergic synovitis can be successfully treated, after which signs of the disease are little obvious. Purulent synovitis often leads to the development of certain complications, which can not only threaten the loss of natural mobility of the limb, but even the health and life of the patient. In the acute form of the disease, even after a full course of therapy or surgery, relapses may occur from time to time, that is, repeated attacks of synovitis. Synovitis in arthrosis of the knee joint. Information about the disease Experts distinguish different types and types of synovitis in arthrosis of the knee joint, differing in the stage of progression or nature of occurrence. The exercise therapy complex is selected by a specialist, taking into account the patient’s condition and the characteristics of orthopedic pathology. More successful results in treatment are achieved through a combination of exercise therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures and massage. Examples of exercises that will be beneficial for the knee joint:. As clinical statistics show, among all forms of this disease, post-traumatic synovitis of the knee joint is most common. Sometimes it happens that despite all the conservative measures taken to treat synovitis of the knee joint, it is not possible to achieve recovery. In such cases, surgical intervention is sought. Depending on the nature and severity of the disease, either partial or complete excision of the synovial membrane is performed.
After the operation, the patient must undergo a rehabilitation course, which includes physiotherapeutic procedures, exercise therapy and massage. On average, the recovery period takes from 3-4 to 7 weeks. Recently, the treatment of synovitis of the knee joint with folk remedies has become increasingly popular. In some cases, this approach can yield positive results, but only if it is approved by the attending physician. But it was possible to naturally cleanse the body by having a proper breakfast, and not create conditions for stagnation of bile. Coming home from work, late in the evening, you have a hearty dinner. How can the stomach digest meat and protein when in the second half of the day its activity is much lower and the concentration of gastric juice is low? Incomplete digestion of proteins occurs. Undigested protein begins to rot and poison the body - protein poisons are the most harmful! Where are some of the harmful formations deposited? What happens to the liver at this time? It constantly puts all its efforts into removing toxins from the body, converting them into bile, which you do not help remove from the gallbladder with proper nutrition in the morning, and the liver runs idle. Then your body gets sick more and more every year, you have a whole bunch of chronic diseases! Many people with diseases of the knee joint begin to take chondroprotectors. And the liver is weakened, it is not able to send these substances to the cartilage tissue cells in need. And then you say that these drugs don't work! But your liver is not working! In most cases, a healthy liver will cope on its own. And your task is to help her become strong. Excessive synovial fluid or, conversely, its lack occurs with poor condition of cartilage, decreased motor function of the joint, which in turn leads to poor blood flow and blood washing of the inflamed area, with calcium metabolism disorders and the development of osteoporosis, with weak ligaments and flabby muscles . Put everything listed in order - and you won’t have problems with synovitis. Having already published the article, I received a newsletter from my favorite healer Ermolenko Lyudmila and I bring you her words:
In the human body, the knee joint is the largest. The responsibility assigned to him is also great, since the knee joint is subjected to enormous pressure when moving.
Therefore, if we take the statistics of ailments, it is knee diseases that are common cases in traumatology. However, the knee is not only subject to injury. Damage may affect not only the bone structure or ligamentous apparatus, but can cause dysfunction - synovitis of the knee joint.
This disease is characterized by the formation of serous exudate without blood particles, in moderate quantities.
ICD 10 has been considering synovitis of the knee joint since 2007, under the code M65.
Depending on the origins of the disease, it can have different types:
In ICD 10, synovitis of the knee joint is divided:
The knee has a complex relationship between the bones. The base of the knee is the tibia, femur, and patella. Inside the joint there are two half rings of cartilage tissue - meniscus. Along with all this connection, the knee is filled with ligaments that provide strength and functionality to the joint.
The knee has a “coupling” - an articular capsule, which on the outside has coarse fiber, and inside there are many vessels that nourish all the joints on the surface. Due to its extensive structure, the shell of cartilage, bone, muscle and ligaments creates many indentations and wraps around the knee
The origins of the disease lie in the formation of fluid in the knee joint. The accumulated fluid in the joint is secreted by a fibrous capsule, which is covered by a synovial membrane consisting of a layer of cells. The liquid itself consists of proteins, minerals and carbohydrates, therefore it is a nutritious element of the cartilage in the joint, acting as a lubricant or shock absorber for the knee, protecting it from all kinds of injuries. In a normal state, the volume of fluid is 2 ml, which is maintained by resorption of intra-articular tissues.
Maintaining balance in it is a delicate process that can easily be disrupted if inflammation occurs. Thus, the appearance of synovitis of the knee joint increases the fluid, radically changing it from nutrients to bacteria, pus and blood, toxins, etc.
Aseptic synovitis is characterized by a large volume of the knee, which is not accompanied by any pain or anything else. When there is no pain, but there is volume, this is a consequence of the presence of irritation of the membrane. The fluid located in the joint capsule can increase sharply in quantity, up to one hour. The swelling that subsequently develops will be a serious obstacle to freedom of movement.
This form of the disease may be accompanied by symptoms:
Moderate synovitis of the knee joint manifests itself in a small volume of the knee, while the patient can easily move without feeling pain. The general condition may worsen, but not significantly.
The acute form of synovitis is characterized by severe pain. If such an indicator exists. You should immediately consult a doctor to determine the source of the disease. Accompanied by an acute form:
Chronic synovitis of the knee joint is not accompanied by pronounced symptoms, but has dull pain, together with:
Reactive synovitis can occur only in an acute form, which smoothly turns into a chronic form, in the absence of competent and timely treatment.
The most difficult thing in diagnosing synovitis is determining the primary source, making a diagnosis knowing the cause simply.
The program for diagnosing synovitis of the knee joint is accompanied by:
Making a diagnosis - synovitis of the knee joint, with proper treatment, in principle, we will win. However, you need to know that complete recovery can only occur with serous and allergic synovitis. After suffering from other types of synovitis, as a rule, stiffness of the joints remains; with purulent formations, unfortunately, sepsis develops.
The complexity and danger of synovitis lies precisely in the mortality of the disease, and not in maintaining the mobility and aesthetics of the knee joints. Therefore, you should not wonder how to treat synovitis of the knee joint on your own, relying only on your grandmother’s recipes and homeopathy. This is a serious undertaking and requires an appropriate approach.
The diagnosis of “synovitis of the knee joint” is treated in an outpatient clinic. If the disease occurs in an acute form, you need to tightly wrap the knee in an even state using a tight bandage. It is not recommended to wear a bandage for more than 7 days, as this will lead to stiffness of the joint, which means immobility. Until help is provided, the knee should be wrapped in “cold” for 10 minutes.
Treatment of synovitis is carried out in the following directions:
Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out in the form of:
Photo: blood pressure pills
Drug treatment of synovitis of the knee joint is carried out through the use of:
If there are pathogenic microbes and bacteria in the human body, tetracyclines, cephalosporins and macrolides, sulfonamides are prescribed, depending on the source. Blood circulation is improved by intramuscular administration of heparin. To treat the wound - antiseptics, as well as rubbing and applying ointments - fastum, voltaren, indovazine.
It is important to understand that synovitis may not respond well to drug treatment and may also have complications. In this case, surgical intervention may be prescribed, in which partial or complete synovectomy is performed.
Carrying out a puncture is a necessary measure, which is carried out without anesthesia, by piercing the joint with a needle, and then sucking out the accumulated fluid. The exudate may be sent for laboratory testing to obtain more accurate information.
After surgery, rehabilitation therapy is always carried out through the use of painkillers, antibiotics, physiotherapy, exercise therapy is prescribed, and a load is gradually introduced into the joint.
As an auxiliary therapy, and only after a professional examination and a competently prescribed course of treatment, you can use recipes from traditional medicine.
Treatment of synovitis of the knee joint with folk remedies involves the use of egg compresses, comfrey ointment, bay oil, and various tinctures. In particular, bay oil has proven itself well. To prepare it, you need to grind 2 tbsp. spoons of bay leaf, cover the mixture with 200 gr. oils Apply the resulting composition to the skin twice a day, securing it with an elastic bandage.
For egg compresses, beat 1 egg with salt. Apply the mixture to the knee, wrap it with a non-sterile bandage, leave for 30 minutes and rinse.
You can prepare comfrey ointment from 200 g. lard and a glass of fresh comfrey herb. Stir the mixture and leave for 5 days in a cold place. Apply the prepared ointment to the knee several times a day, securing with an elastic bandage. This can perfectly help the restoration of cartilage tissue after surgery.
To prepare the infusion, you need to chop 0.1 kg of lemon. garlic, 0.2 kg. celery root, mix everything in a container and add three liters of water, leaving for 3 hours. The infusion is drunk three times a day, 60 ml. within 30 days.
Among the traditional medicine recipes you can find salted ice. To prepare it you need to dissolve 4 tbsp in 1 liter of water. salt, pour the mixture into an ice tray and freeze. Apply ice cubes to the sore spot, after melt water has formed, wrap the knee in a woolen cloth for 4 hours. Use daily until it feels better.
Treatment of synovitis of the knee joint at home can be carried out using honey, which has unique properties. To prepare homemade medicine you need:
Among the methods, treatment of synovitis of the knee joint at home allows the use of special mixtures and teas for the joints. Their preparation is not particularly complicated, and the composition certainly will not harm the body, helping to cleanse it of other diseases.
Place a container of water and stirred rye on the fire, which should be boiled for about a quarter of an hour. Next, cool the brew and strain, pour honey into the mixture, mix with barberry and vodka. Place the mixture in a dark place for three weeks. The resulting medicine should be taken in 3 tbsp. spoons 30 minutes before meals. You need to take the course three times a year.
You cannot insure yourself against everything in life, but you can prevent the occurrence of one or another illness by following a healthy lifestyle. Although the framework of life does not allow this. Therefore, after suffering from an illness, you need to reconsider your habits, culture of physical health, and shoes.
High-heeled shoes should be hidden away until a special celebration and switch to a more acceptable heel height, choose an orthopedic model, use orthopedic insoles. You should also reduce, or better yet, reduce overly active sports that increase stress on the knee and also increase the risk of injury. For those who have not been involved in sports before, on the contrary, you need to engage in physical therapy. It is imperative to monitor your diet so that it is rich in nutrients and vitamins.
Follow-up actions after treatment - recovery. Strengthening and restoration are carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Among the exercises used:
Therapeutic gymnastics can be performed at home, starting from 5 minutes no earlier than seven days after illness. The initial set of procedures consists of raising the straightened legs only 15 cm from the floor level. You need to hold it in this position for 2 minutes. Then you need to carefully bend and straighten your foot in the same starting position.
You can alternately lower and raise your leg, 5 times to begin with, and then gradually increase the number to 15 by the 10th lesson.
Untimely and incompetent treatment will definitely leave its mark on the joint, and also contribute to the development of a number of comorbidities. For example, periarthritis and phlegmon may develop. This is the impregnation of tissues with pus, as well as muscles, tendons, fiber and skin around the joint. Purulent arthritis and panarthritis may develop. During the first disease, pus spreads the outer shell of the joint capsule.
The second disease involves the process of suppuration of bones, joint connections and cartilage.
Having synovitis is not very pleasant, since it is not only painful, but also burdensome. On forums and on the Internet you can find many reviews about the disease and treatment.
“Synovitis has not left my joint for more than a year. The movement was reduced to a minimum, the knees did not bend/unbend. There was panic, bordering on despair, but a competent approach to treatment, as well as timely diagnosis of the inflammatory process in the body, helped stop the development of synovitis, allowing it to become chronic. The most important thing is to solve the problem in a timely and comprehensive manner. Working out the joints also helped prevent stiffening, and massage with silicone cups against swelling.”
“I have been fighting synovitis in my knee joint for two years. Victory is not always on my side, as it comes back again and again - fluid accumulates in the knee. It appeared during pregnancy, I was washing the floors while squatting. But due to my condition, no treatment was prescribed. After I became a mother, my meniscus was removed. However, there was no improvement. Despite the fact that all experts say that my health is normal, synovitis does not go away. There were courses of treatment, a lot of things were prescribed, including antibiotics, chondroprotectors, punctures, currents, and baths. It’s all in vain, neither massages nor electrophoresis help. I'm desperate"
“There was acute pain in the knee, after examination by a doctor, the diagnosis was chronic synovitis of the right knee joint. I didn’t expect anything to help me, after all, a chronicle. And many treatment methods have been tried, starting with puncture, paraffin, current, various baths using injections and ointments, electrophoresis, laser, leeches and so on. Mud applications and kinesiotherapy helped me personally.”
Synovitis in arthrosis of the knee joint is the process of organizing and accumulating excess intra-articular fluid (effusion) in the joint cavity (bursa of the knee joint), provoked by the development of an inflammatory reaction that affects the synovial membrane of the joint. If there is an infectious pathogen in the area where the lesion occurs, the composition of the effusion becomes purulent.
Experts distinguish different types and types of synovitis in arthrosis of the knee joint, differing in the stage of progression or nature of occurrence. This classification helps to diagnose the disease and prescribe the correct course of therapy.
The nature of the course of synovitis of the knee joints determines 2 types of the disease:
The nature of the contents of the effusion determines the following types of synovitis disease:
This photo shows synovitis of the knee joint, the symptoms and treatment of which we will discuss below.
The nature of the formation of synovitis in arthrosis of the knee joint is explained by these factors:
When synovitis of the knee joint develops, the following characteristic signs are observed:
The occurrence of synovitis of the knee joint of a reactive nature is accompanied by typical symptoms of the acute type of the disease, which can develop into a chronic long-term form.
The diagnosis of synovitis of the knee joint, symptoms and treatment is established by a qualified rheumatologist.
Medical care for synovitis of the knee joint is based on the use of the following methods:
A similar surgical procedure is carried out to remove the accumulated effusion outwards by inserting a needle into the cavity of the knee joint and suctioning out the intra-articular fluid. Anesthesia is not required, since puncture is a minimally painful procedure.
The cost of this procedure in Russian clinics ranges from 1 to 7 thousand rubles. The composition of the effusion is examined in the laboratory to detect pathogenic microorganisms.
To completely immobilize the diseased joint, a special compression bandage with the patella is used. If synovitis of the knee joint occurs in an acute form, orthopedic splints or plaster splints can be used.
The immobilization period lasts about 5-7 days.
Taking special groups of medications will help eliminate the symptoms and causes of the disease.
Drug therapy for knee synovitis involves taking these medications:
If care is not provided in a timely manner, the patient may experience characteristic complications, such as destruction of articular surfaces, sepsis or suppuration.
In case of synovitis of the knee joint, treatment with folk remedies is also an effective way to eliminate pain and inflammation.
Experts recommend the following recipes:
Additional information about synovitis of the knee joint with arthrosis can be found in this video:
As a rule, non-infectious or allergic synovitis can be successfully treated, after which signs of the disease are little obvious. Purulent synovitis often leads to the development of certain complications, which can not only threaten the loss of natural mobility of the limb, but even the health and life of the patient.
In the acute form of the disease, even after a full course of therapy or surgery, relapses may occur from time to time, that is, repeated attacks of synovitis. Take care of yourself!
A common disease of the lower extremities is synovitis of the knee joint. This joint is a complex joint, one of the largest in the body. It bears a large share of the load when walking, running, and supporting the weight of the entire body. When falling, it acts as a shock absorber. With such great functionality, this joint is susceptible to a huge number of pathologies and mechanical damage. Such injuries almost never occur in children; the adult knee joint becomes vulnerable over time.
Synovitis is an inflammation of the synovial membrane of the knee. A specific liquid in a volume of 2 ml is constantly present in this place. It protects the bones of the joint from excessive friction and injury. The composition includes water, protein, hyaluron. When some kind of damage occurs, inflammation begins, the amount of synovinal fluid increases, and excess accumulates - effusion, which may contain bacteria, blood, and pus.
The inflamed joint enlarges, interferes with movement, and the person suffers from pain. If complicated by infection, hospitalization with surgery is required. If you seek help in a timely manner, you can get by with medication.
Joint disease can affect a person of any age. It often occurs in men under 45 years of age who are actively involved in sports or physical work. The disease is observed in people with low immunity, the elderly, and long-term smokers.
The main reason why the synovial membrane becomes inflamed is the introduction of infection or lymph from other organs.
Predisposing factors for synovitis of the knee are:
Any reason or a combination of them can cause inflammation of the knee joint.
The disease is divided into types depending on the causes. The methods of treating the pathology and prognosis for recovery depend on this.
The synovium is very sensitive. She immediately reacts to any changes in the joint. It is the development of synovitis that is the first signal of the slightest damage to the knee. Classification of the disease allows you to make an accurate diagnosis.
The main symptoms are a round swelling at the site of the inflamed joint, which is often firm to the touch. If there is blood in the effusion fluid, the surface of the skin will acquire a reddish tint. In some cases, the circumference of the inflamed area can increase significantly, reaching up to 10 cm. The signs of synovitis of the knee are very clearly visible in the photo.
Synovitis of the knee can occur in an acute form, when symptoms arise and spread very quickly.
Additional manifestations of acute stage synovitis:
Signs of pathology in the acute form will be pronounced. Typically, this stage begins immediately after injury to the joint, lasts several days, and requires immediate examination by a specialist and treatment.
The result of an untreated disease is chronic synovitis of the knee joint. The signs become dull, have an unexpressed nature, and cause slight discomfort. The swelling subsides, pain is felt when walking for a long time, or straightening the affected leg. The redness goes away, the joint may occasionally crack, and regular dislocations appear.
Such moderate synovitis of the knee joint does not mean recovery. The gradual accumulation of fluid inside the knee joint will increase the inflammation process. Symptoms of dropsy will begin to appear, then irreversible changes and disturbances in the structure of the articular apparatus will occur.
All together, the signs of synovitis form a syndrome that is characteristic of several joint pathologies. Before making a diagnosis, the doctor conducts diagnostics to rule out similar diseases, post-exertional syndrome, and injuries.
It is not difficult to visually determine synovitis, especially if the thickening of the knee joint is clearly visible. It is more difficult to establish the cause of its appearance. To do this, standard and specific tests of blood, urine, and synovial fluid are performed.
An ultrasound, x-ray, and arthroscopic examination are required. If necessary, tomography is prescribed.
Even a minor inflammatory process should not be ignored. It needs to be examined; it can develop into a serious complication in the future.
In special cases, a knee puncture is performed and synovinal fluid is taken for analysis. To establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment, other specialists, for example, an orthopedist, may be involved.
Treatment of synovitis depends on the general condition of the sick person, the cause of its occurrence, and the severity of the pathology. Hypertrophy of any organ requires long-term therapy, since such changes cannot return to normal in a short time. Recovery is especially long if the synovitis is bilateral.
The main ways to get rid of synovitis are:
The puncture is used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. It appears in the form of first aid. Helps quickly get rid of large amounts of fluid, which stops the growth of edema and reduces pain. The resulting liquid is sent for examination. This allows us to understand the cause of the disease.
The goals of drug therapy are to relieve the inflammatory process, prevent the development of complications, and reduce the possibility of recurrence. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are good at soothing pain and reducing inflammation. They are used in the form of gels and ointments (Diclofenac, Voltaren).
Chondroprotective drugs (Chondroitin) help preserve joint tissue. If the disease has reached an advanced, chronic stage, inhibitors are prescribed to reduce enzyme activity (Gordox). Corticosteroids will also help - Kenalog - 40 (injected into the joint).
For any type of synovitis, it is mandatory to create immobility for the damaged joints (immobilization). This is carried out even if the violations are minimal. During treatment, exercise is prohibited; it is difficult for people diagnosed with bilateral synovitis.
Immobilization is carried out using a splint, plaster cast, or bandage. Based on whether the synovitis is left-sided or right-sided, the dressing material is secured. After relieving acute inflammation, you need to begin performing therapeutic exercises. It is important to develop the joint to avoid complications (fibrosis). Regardless of which leg the injury is on, exercises should be performed by the right and left joints, since during treatment movement for the entire body was limited.
In difficult cases, surgical treatment is performed. Typically, part of the damaged synovial membrane is removed, leaving a small area free of infection and changes. If both joints are affected, the recovery period will be long. The person will need to gradually start with light loads on the knee joints.
Taking preventive measures will mean exercising caution, avoiding injury, and observing safety measures.
Prevention recommendations:
Synovitis of the knee is a sign of pathological changes that begin in the joints. Sometimes pigmented villonodular synovitis is diagnosed - a joint lesion that has a chronic course. This is a complex disease in which the synovial membrane grows and swollen nodes form. You need to pay attention to your health and take measures to strengthen it. Then you won’t have to deal with the complications that can be seen in the photo.