In the human musculoskeletal system, the most vulnerable structures are ligaments and joints, which are most often affected in general diseases or injuries. When a joint is damaged, the synovial membrane first of all begins to react. Like many other inflammations, synovitis is accompanied by exudative processes. When the joint is affected, the synovium begins to produce more serous exudate than it normally secretes, causing the joint to swell. What causes the development of synovitis? What are the symptoms of synovitis?
How does the course of the process affect the symptoms of synovitis?
Most often, synovitis affects the knee, ankle, hip, wrist and elbow joints. Depending on the course, acute and chronic synovitis are distinguished.
- Acute synovitis - characterized by swelling of the synovial membrane, its thickening and plethora. The effusion in the joint is translucent, sometimes with inclusions of fibrin.
- Chronic synovitis - accompanied by the formation of fibrous changes in the capsule. Sometimes fibrinous overlays look like villi that hang down into the joint cavity. Separate overlays are transformed into "rice bodies", which, moving freely in the joint cavity, additionally injure the synovial membrane.
The nature of the exudate in synovitis can be serous, serous-fibrinous, purulent and hemorrhagic.
Main causes of synovitis symptoms
Infectious synovitis - develops against the background of pathogenic microorganisms entering the joint cavity. The pathogen enters the synovial membrane from the external environment - with penetrating wounds of the joint or from surrounding tissues - through the blood and lymphatic vessels. There are specific (with syphilis, tuberculosis) and nonspecific synovitis. Allergic synovitis develops when the patient comes into contact with the allergen.
Aseptic synovitis: since microorganisms are normally absent in the joint cavity, the inflammation is reactive.
The causes of synovitis during aseptic process can be:
- endocrine disorders;
- constant irritation of the synovium by articular bodies;
- metabolic disorders;
- hemophilia;
- mechanical injury - fractures, bruises, meniscal injuries, torn ligaments.
Synovitis symptoms to look out for
Acute nonspecific synovitis is characterized by an increase in joint volume. Sometimes there is a feeling of fullness, the contours of the joint are smoothed out. Pain does not always accompany the symptoms of synovitis. If the pain is still present, it is not acute. An increase in body temperature and the presence of general malaise are possible. At the same time, palpation of the joint is painful, the symptom of fluctuation is determined, the movement of the joint is limited. If the knee joint is affected, the symptom of balloting of the patella is determined.
Acute purulent synovitis has severe clinical symptoms. The general condition of the patient worsens, accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication. The pain syndrome is strongly expressed. Objectively, the joint is swollen, hyperemic and enlarged. The movements are painful, because of which the development of joint contracture is possible. Sometimes regional lymphadenitis is found. Chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane is manifested by a poor clinical picture. The patient complains of slight aching pains. The same type of movement of the joint leads to the development of its fatigue.
When symptoms of synovitis are detected, the patient should be examined to clarify the presence of synovitis, its cause and nature. Read our next article for methods of diagnosing and treating synovitis.
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