Synovitis - what is it? Causes of occurrence. Features. Treatment

The largest joint in our skeleton is the knee. It performs a supporting function, makes running and walking possible. He is often subjected to compression and injury. In addition, the disease "synovitis" is associated with it. What it is? This ailment is associated with focal inflammation in the connective tissue - the joint synovium. Inflammation causes fluid to accumulate, which can later become purulent. Therefore, the synovitis of the orthopedic joints is considered to be a very serious disease.

Causes

A number of factors can cause inflammation of tissues and accumulation of fluid in them.

• Injury. Traumatic synovitis due to mechanical damage to the joint is expressed by a significant destruction of the joint tissues.
• Intra-articular changes, which are associated with loss of elasticity and mobility. In such cases, the joint is slowly infected and a purulent inflammation begins.

Traumatic synovitis is the most common case, because any bruise or lack of elasticity of ligaments can cause it to form. That is why he is the most studied of all kinds of synovitis, not only with regard to pathogenesis, but also in terms of treatment. The reactive synovitis develops against the background of existing knee joint lesions.

Synovitis - what is it? Features

Only one joint covers inflammation with a traumatic synovitis. According to the nature of the fluid, synovitis is isolated from the vascular-hemorrhagic, serous and purulent origin. Acute traumatic synovitis - what is it? This form is characterized by extremely rapid swelling (a minute after the injury). There is no pain syndrome, only the temperature may rise slightly. In this state, a person can still lean on the knee and bend it. Chronic synovitis - what is it? With this disease, the synovial membrane is constantly irritated, and as a consequence, the liquid does not have time to resolve, therefore, permanent swelling of the knee is a characteristic symptom. The knee joint in this condition can not perform the proper functions and gradually the joint begins to break down. As a consequence, the patient's general condition worsens, the size of the edema increases, painful movement appears, and a vascular network may appear on the knee surface.

Treatment

How to treat synovitis? On examination, the doctor will determine visually the condition of the joint, can assume the possible processes occurring in it. In the absence of pain and temperature, the doctor can do a joint puncture (fluid intake). Puncture is the first stage of treatment, after which the patient is given a local anesthetic and removes a part of the fluid from the joint cavity. After cleansing the joint, antibiotics are administered there. Then a fixing bandage is applied, which will ensure the immobility of the joint. Then follows medical treatment, during which the patient will take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs directed. In a complex it is necessary to use ointments, gels and creams of local action removing puffiness, reducing a dyscomfort. In some cases, enzymatic drugs are used - they improve microcirculation and lymph drainage, and as a result, inflammation goes away much faster. In case of repeated infection, antibiotics are used.