Synovitis of the ankle: treatment, reviews, photos, reasons

Synovitis of the ankle is the process of inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint, which is characterized by the formation of effusion (biological fluid) inside the ankle. There is such a pathology is not often. In most cases, only one joint is affected. If medical care is not provided in time, then the mobility of the lower limb is deteriorating. The nature of the effusion depends on the type of pathology.

Causes of development

Synovitis of the ankle may appear under the influence of the following factors:

• Cut with open or closed trauma, dislocation, stretching or bruising.
• Specific autoimmune reaction of the body to the stimulus.
• Arthritis, arthrosis.
• Irritation of the synovium by the action of cartilaginous tissue, which underwent changes.
• Suppuration hematomas.
• Chronic infectious foci.
• Violations of the nervous system or innervation of the joint.
• Endocrine pathologies.
• Blood in the articulation (with hemophilia).
• Sepsis.
• Static deformation of the joint.
• Congenital malformation of articulation.
• Weak immunity.
• Weakness of the muscles (acquired or congenital).

As you can see, the synovitis of the ankle joint can occur with the slightest disruption of the normal functioning of the body.

Types of pathology

The disease can be classified as follows:

1. By the nature of the pathological process:

- Aseptic. In this case, the presence of pathogenic bacteria is not detected in the liquid.

- Infectious. Here in the sweat there are pathogenic microorganisms that cause a specific inflammatory process.

- Reactive synovitis of the ankle joint. It is a type of response to an allergic stimulus.

2. By the nature of the course of the disease:

- Acute. In this case, the synovitis of the ankle is characterized by pronounced symptoms. Most often, it develops as a result of trauma or infection.

- Chronic. Here the pathology appears due to prolonged exposure to negative factors.

3. According to the nature of effusion, the disease is as follows:

- Hemorrhagic. It is characterized by the presence of blood in the synovial fluid.

- Serous. The effusion is transparent, although there is an increased number of cells in it.

- Purulent. The liquid is characterized by a greenish tinge, an unpleasant odor and is turbid.

- Serous-fibrous. In this case, the effusion has an increased viscosity due to fibrous fibers.

Symptomatology of pathology

Synovitis of the ankle - the reasons for its development you have already considered - manifests itself in different ways, depending on the type and form of the disease. The most common symptoms are:

1. Discomfort during palpation of the joint, an unpleasant sensation of fluid movement.
2. Redness of the skin on the affected area, as well as an increase in the local temperature on it.
3. Smoothing out the contours of the articulation due to the appearance of swelling and swelling.
4. Pain in the affected joint, which may be worse during movement.

If synovitis of the ankle joint (the photo you see in the article) is of an infectious nature, then there may already be signs of general intoxication: chills, increased overall temperature, loss of appetite, sweating and weakness.

It should be noted that the acute form of pathology can manifest itself very clearly. As for the chronic course, it is characterized by periods of exacerbation and rest, which replace each other.

Features of diagnosis of the disease

Treatment of synovitis of the ankle joint should be started only after an accurate diagnosis is made. To do this, you should always consult a doctor who will prescribe such studies:

• A blood test, in which an increase in the level of white blood cells can be shown. This will provide an opportunity to prove the presence of an inflammatory process.
• Histological examination of the effusion, which will determine its character.
• Radiography. It is not very informative, but it will give an opportunity to consider changes in the structure of the joint. That is, it will be easier for you to determine the cause of the disease.
• CT or MRI of the joint. These studies will help to examine the joint as much as possible.

Through proper diagnosis, the doctor will be able to prescribe adequate treatment.

What complications can occur?

If you are injured, or there is an infection in the body, you may develop an ankle synovitis. Treatment (reviews about medicines and folk recipes are very good) will allow you to quickly eliminate pathology and avoid consequences. However, the lack of therapy can provoke complications:

1. With time, the mobility of the lower limb is deteriorating.
2. If the inflammatory process begins to affect the surrounding tissues and muscles, then panarthritis and periarthritis can develop.
3. If there are pathogenic bacteria in the sweat, the absence of treatment will allow the development of a pathology such as purulent arthritis.
4. The infectious nature of the disease provokes a general infection of the blood - sepsis, which can become fatal to humans.

Absence of full and complex therapy will lead to irreversible disability. Especially if changes occur in the joint.

Traditional Therapy

So, if a synovitis of the ankle is diagnosed , the treatment involves the following manipulations:

• The puncture of the joint, by means of which not only the exudate is collected for further analysis, but antibacterial substances are also introduced.
• Ankle stitches with a tight bandage or longi. This will provide an opportunity to provide a leg full of peace. Excessive movements will not only bring pain, but also provoke the expansion of the inflammatory process.
• The use of anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs: Nimesulide, Diclofenac. They not only reduce the manifestations of the pathological process, but will also reduce the amount of exudate released.
• Use of glucocorticosteroids, if too much effusion accumulates in the joint, and the pain sensations are very strong. In this case, "Dexamethasone" is suitable.
• Treatment of a chronic form of pathology is performed with the help of inhibitors of enzymes "Contrikal".
• The use of antibiotics in infectious form: "Azithromycin".
• Physiotherapeutic manipulations: UHF, electrophoresis.
• Physiotherapy exercises in the rehabilitation period.

Passing the full course of therapy will make it possible to heal the pathology completely.

Features of surgical treatment

If drug therapy does not give the expected result, and the disease is aggravated, the doctor may prescribe a surgical intervention. Naturally, it must be done with minimal trauma. In addition, surgery is an extreme measure.

During the intervention, the joint is opened, and its cavity is thoroughly cleaned from clots of blood, pus, foreign bodies (if a fragmentation injury was obtained). In addition, the inflamed synovial membrane, as well as the damaged cartilage, is removed from the articulation.

After the operation, the patient should undergo a course of rehabilitation procedures, which will restore the full functionality of the joint. The first days on foot will have to wear a special fixator - orthosis. Then the patient is shown physiotherapy, massage and therapeutic gymnastics.

Features of folk treatment

If you have a synovitis synovitis joint, treatment with folk remedies will achieve a good effect. Reviews about home treatment say good results. Naturally, before using alternative medicine, you need to consult a doctor. For you, such recipes can be useful:

• Bay oil. It helps to restore the joint, and also has an antiseptic effect. To make it, you need 50 g of pre-cut raw material, which is filled with half a liter of vegetable oil (it must be unrefined). Next, the product should last for a week, after which they can rub the affected area up to 4 r / d.
• Ointment from the comfrey. It not only contributes to the early healing of wounds, but also has the ability to relieve inflammation, an anesthetic effect. Ointment improves the blood supply to tissues surrounding the joint. To prepare the preparation, take 150 g of raw material and combine it with 200 g of interior fat. Mix all the ingredients and place in a glass jar, in which the ointment will be infused for 10 days. Apply to the affected area three times a day.
• Take in equal proportions such herbs: valerian, St. John's wort, calendula, licorice, thyme and marshmallow. Next, 20 g of raw material, pour 0.5 liters of water and simmer for 7 minutes on low heat. Strain the broth and drink it a few sips between meals.

Prevention of pathology

To prevent the ankle joint from causing trouble, and the synovial membrane does not become inflamed, try to observe such preventive measures:

• Prevent injury to the joint and its hypothermia.
• Wear only comfortable shoes.
• Do not load the lower limbs too much.

That's all the features of the development and treatment of this disease. Be healthy!