- Types of synovitis
- How to know if it is synovitis
- Synovitis treatments
- Medicines
- Cold compress
- Physiotherapy
- Puncture
- Corticosteroid application
Synovitis is inflammation of the synovial membrane, a tissue that lines the inside of some joints, which is why synovitis can happen in the foot, ankle, knee, hip, hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder.
In this disease, the synovial membrane, which is responsible for producing synovial fluid, becomes thicker and more blood vessels appear, which causes bleeding within the joint. This can happen due to trauma, which may have been a fall or accident, or in some cases it can arise as part of a disease like rheumatism or gout. Excessive use, as can happen during very repetitive work, in assembly plants, for example, does not cause synovitis, but it worsens its symptoms.
Types of synovitis
Synovitis can be classified by the orthopedic doctor as being:
- Congenital synovitis: occurs when there is a small tissue called 'plica', which forms a fold inside the knee; Traumatic synovitis: occurs after a fall, accident, torsion, fracture or surgery; Rheumatoid synovitis: it is related to Rheumatoid Arthritis, or other diseases such as pigmented villonodular synovitis, crystalline synovitis, hemophilia or synovial chondromatosis; Infectious synovitis: occurs due to the presence of fungi or bacteria within the joint.
Synovitis can still be classified as Acute Synovitis, when symptoms appeared recently, and are related to an accident or fall, for example, and Chronic Synovitis, when symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks, being related to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example.
Synovitis in the knee is one of the most common situations, causing pain, discomfort and swelling of the joint. See more about knee synovitis, popularly called knee water '.
How to know if it is synovitis
Synovitis manifests itself through symptoms such as:
- Increased temperature in the joint, which can be felt by touch; Pain when moving the affected joint; Local may become more red; There may be a small local swelling; Difficulty moving the joint and the affected limb due to pain or swelling.
The doctor may conclude that the joint is inflamed by the symptoms presented, but only the joint puncture to remove a sample of the liquid can prove its severity, but x-rays and ultrasound can also be useful. Thus, the doctor usually orders tests to confirm the disease, and recommends taking anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve symptoms. If symptoms persist for more than 15 days, compromising the person's daily activities, physical therapy may be recommended.
Although anyone can develop synovitis, this is more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, people who work with very repetitive movements, and sports people who train more than 1 hour a day for more than 5 hours. days a week.
Synovitis treatments
The first treatment option for a synovitis is to rest the joint, and it is not always necessary to immobilize, the person just needs to be careful not to move the affected joint, saving his effort. When it is proven that there is a change in the synovial fluid, the doctor can perform a puncture to remove this compromised fluid, helping in a faster recovery.
To complement the treatment of synovitis, physiotherapy sessions, anti-inflammatory medications and anti-inflammatory ointments should be used. In the most severe cases, surgery called arthroscopy can be used to remove part of the synovial tissue.
Medicines
The remedies for synovitis can be anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, pain relievers like Paracetamol, and corticosteroids. Applying ointments with Diclofenac can also be an option for pain relief.
Cold compress
Placing a compress of cold water or ice on the affected joint is a great option to combat swelling and relieve pain.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can be performed, 2 or 3 times a week, containing cryotherapy, and equipment such as ultrasound, electrostimulation, laser and short waves, for example. The treatment must be chosen by the physiotherapist after his personal evaluation. Mobilization and stretching exercises can also be indicated. In the final phase of recovery, muscle strengthening exercises around the joint are recommended.
Puncture
The doctor can remove a part of the synovial fluid to deflate the joint, which brings good relief of symptoms and helps in recovery. However, this type of treatment is only indicated for the most severe cases, when the joint is very affected and swollen.
Corticosteroid application
In addition to removing synovial fluid, the doctor can give an injection directly into the joint containing corticosteroids, such as cortisone, a type of strong anti-inflammatory that brings relief from symptoms quickly.
