SYNOVITIS – JOINT SWELLING

Synovitis is the inflammation of the lining of a joint, also known as the synovium. You may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, and/or warmth of the affected joint. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Synovitis is inflammation of the lining of a joint, also known as the synovium. The joint capsule, lined by the synovium, surrounds a joint and contains synovial fluid that lubricates the joint to enable smooth movements. The shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand joints all contain joint capsules to facilitate motion. When the synovium becomes swollen, it can be painful to move the affected joint. The most common cause of synovitis is overuse. Repetitive movements of one specific joint, like your upper extremity joints when lifting weights or your knee joints when squatting, can cause inflammation.

You may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, and/or warmth of the affected joint. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Many times, rest and anti-inflammatory medications will treat your synovitis. If you don’t respond to conservative treatments, you may be a candidate for a synovectomy. This is a surgical procedure that involves removing much of the synovium.