What is Synovitis of the Knee?

What is Synovitis of the Knee?

The knee is what is known as a synovial joint.  The synovium is the membranous lining of the joint that contains a viscous fluid, helping to lubricate it lending to smooth motion.  The synovium also plays a role in the nourishment of any joint it surrounds.  The suffix ‘itis’ means ‘inflammation of’.  To answer the question “What is Synovitis of the knee?” -it is an inflammation of the synovium causing joint pain, decreased motion, lack of smooth motion, swelling, warmth, or redness of the area.

Synovitis Causes

The underlying synovitis knee causes can be very benign or more severe.  Often, synovitis of the knee can cause joint pain due to an underlying case of rheumatoid arthritis in the knee or gout.  These two conditions are both forms of arthritis, but are distinctly different diagnoses as one, rheumatoid arthritis of the knee is considered an autoimmune condition.

Gout in the knee, on the other hand, is not an autoimmune condition and can be heavily controlled by diet.  Gout is a form of arthritis that is caused due to an excess build-up of uric acid in the system and mostly presents as a problem in the feet.  Gout in the knee is less common.  It will usually only affect one joint at a time, while rheumatoid arthritis may cause joint pain in several different areas of the body at once.

Knee Pain Relief for Synovitis Knee

Deciding the appropriate knee pain remedy depends on accurate diagnosis.  More often than not, your synovitis knee treatment plan will involve a simple course of physical therapy, which will include specific exercises and other modalities aimed at providing you with knee pain relief.

Non-surgical, conservative treatment for synovitis of the knee is always preferred.  This condition can be treated in physical therapy utilizing a number of analgesic treatment methods. You will receive instructions on what muscles need to be made stronger and how in order to take pressure off of the knee.  Pain-relieving modalities such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation are also tools that can help in getting you knee pain relief when treating knee synovitis in physical therapy.

Dr. Burke

For more severe cases, different forms of surgery may be recommended. In today’s healthcare climate, you may be understandably apprehensive to make an appointment, but you do not need to live with this pain!  Dr. Burke is continuing to perform scheduled surgeries and non-elective new surgeries at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital.  This hospital is strictly for the performance of orthopedic consultations and surgeries.  Sick patients are not treated at this facility so you can go there without fear of being exposed to COVID-19.

Please make an appointment to consult with Dr. Burke regarding the best option for your knee pain.  New and repeat patients have the option to choose either in clinic or Telemedicine Video clinic appointments.  The help that you need is just a phone call or click away.  Please make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Burke by visiting this website https://drburkeortho.com/contact-us/ or by calling (713) 436-3488.