Main symptoms of knee synovitis

The main symptoms of knee synovitis include knee swelling, pain, limited movement and local fever. In severe cases, it may be accompanied by joint effusion or dysfunction. If obvious pain or difficulty in movement occurs, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to get a clear diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

1. Knee swelling

The typical symptom of knee synovitis is swelling of the knee joint, which is caused by excessive secretion of synovial fluid due to synovial inflammation, which increases the pressure in the joint cavity. In mild cases, the joint may only be slightly swollen and feel tight to the touch; in severe cases, the joint is severely swollen and the knee cannot bend. It is recommended to apply local cold compress to relieve the initial swelling, but be careful not to use it for a long time to avoid affecting blood circulation.

2. Knee pain

Synovitis is often accompanied by pain, especially when exercising or squatting. In severe cases, it can cause dull pain even when you are still. Short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can relieve pain, and medication should be used reasonably under the guidance of a doctor. If the condition worsens, it is recommended to take an MRI to clarify the synovitis.

3. Limited joint movement

Synovitis affects the normal movement of the knee joint, often manifesting as difficulty in flexion and extension or inability to bear weight. Patients often feel joint stiffness and a strong pulling sensation when bending or straightening the joint. For cases of limited movement, rehabilitation training is very important, such as taking a walk after a meal or gentle knee stretching exercises, but avoid strenuous activities.

4. Local fever and effusion

Acute knee synovitis may also cause local fever, especially when the inflammation is obvious, the knee will feel warm when touched. Joint effusion is caused by the increase of synovial fluid that is not absorbed in time. Excessive effusion may require puncture and extraction treatment, combined with anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you suspect you have knee synovitis, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and choose conservative treatment, drug treatment or arthroscopic surgery if necessary to relieve the condition according to the severity of the symptoms. At the same time, you should pay attention to avoiding cold, excessive weight on the knee joint, and strengthening the muscles around the knee joint in daily life to reduce the chance of recurrence.