What are the symptoms of synovitis?

Typical symptoms of synovitis include joint pain, swelling, and limited mobility. The intensity and manifestation of the specific symptoms vary depending on the cause. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible to get a clear diagnosis and receive treatment based on the severity of the symptoms. Synovitis can be caused by a variety of reasons, including trauma, overstrain, joint degeneration, and infection. Timely intervention can relieve symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.

1. Joint pain

The typical symptom of synovitis is obvious pain in the joints. Whether it is dull pain when the joint is at rest or severe pain that worsens during activity, it may be accompanied by an inflammatory response of the synovium. This pain is usually closely related to the degree of inflammation and may manifest differently at different times of the day. For synovitis caused by trauma or strain, rest and local cold compresses may provide some relief, but if the pain persists, you should see a doctor immediately.

2. Joint swelling

Synovitis is often accompanied by local swelling of the joints, which is caused by an abnormal increase in the synovial fluid secreted by the synovium, resulting in an increase in fluid accumulation in the joint cavity. The swelling will make the joints look enlarged, and the skin may feel warm when touched. In severe cases, it may be necessary to extract the accumulated fluid to relieve symptoms. After the fluid is extracted, the doctor will also check the composition of the fluid to determine the source of the inflammation. To relieve this symptom, you can choose to use appropriate anti-inflammatory drugs or physical therapy, such as cold compress therapy.

3. Limited joint movement

The pain and swelling caused by synovitis may lead to a reduction in the range of joint movement, and some patients may even be completely unable to move. This limitation of movement is mainly due to the stiffness of local soft tissues caused by inflammation and the compression of the joints by effusion. To avoid further movement disorders, doctors may recommend appropriate rehabilitation training, such as gentle joint stretching and light weight-bearing exercises to prevent adhesion caused by long-term fixation of the joints.

4. Other symptoms: joint effusion and fever

Some patients with severe or infectious synovitis may observe obvious effusion in the joint cavity, accompanied by redness, swelling, heat and pain, and even mild to moderate fever. This usually indicates the presence of infection or other systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In such cases, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible to draw synovial fluid for testing and use antibiotics or immunomodulatory drugs for treatment.

The symptoms of synovitis are varied. When symptoms such as joint pain and swelling occur, they should not be ignored. Professional diagnosis must be conducted. After the cause is determined, targeted treatment plans should be taken according to the cause to avoid the continued development of symptoms and greater damage to the joints.