Synovitis of the knee joint: treatment depends on the cause

The cavity of the knee joint from the inside is lined with a synovial membrane. The main function of this shell is the synthesis of a special fluid that performs lubrication functions when the joint moves. Synovitis is an inflammation of the synovium. The amount of synovial fluid increases, the joint itself increases in volume and swells. Only after seeing such a joint, the doctor will no doubt put a diagnosis: a synovitis of the knee joint.

Causes of the disease

Synovitis can develop with any damage to the synovium. This can be both trauma and chronic inflammation as a result of arthrosis. In the first case, microorganisms must fall into the joint cavity, and then the synovitis is called infectious. If an infectious (traumatic) synovitis of the knee is diagnosed , the treatment will necessarily include administration of antibiotics.

With arthrosis on the cartilage in the knee, acute growths are formed, which injure the joint from the inside, after that the inflammation also begins, but it is aseptic, that is, without the participation of microorganisms. If a person developed an aseptic synovitis of the knee joint, then antibiotic treatment would be completely meaningless.

Diagnostics

Synovitis - this is not an independent disease, but a symptom that indicates a disadvantage in the joint. If a person comes to the surgeon with fluid accumulation in the joint cavity, it will not be difficult to diagnose him as "synovitis of the knee joint". Treatment will depend on the cause of the disease.

Diagnosis includes examination, palpation, radiography of the joint, puncture of the synovial fluid, biopsy and cytology. Puncture is not only diagnostic, but also therapeutic procedure. After it, antibiotics are injected into the joint cavity to prevent infection. Usually, the appearance of synovia, the surgeon can immediately determine the presence of infection in the joint. In case of trauma, the synovial fluid will be contaminated with blood, but transparent. In the infectious process, it is cloudy and viscous.

Synovitis of the Knee: Treatment

Treatment of synovitis can not be done in isolation. Of course, if you pump fluid out of the joint cavity, inject drugs that prevent its formation, a person will experience immediate relief. Thus, such a symptom as the synovitis of the knee joint is quickly suppressed, but the treatment has not really been carried out. And be sure - over time the symptom will return in a heavier version.

Therefore, in such a serious condition as synovitis of the knee joint, it is necessary to identify its cause and conduct complex treatment. If this is a trauma, limb should be immobilized, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs should be prescribed. Actively used UHF, electrophoresis.

If the excess synovial fluid was synthesized as a result of the reaction to arthrosis, it is necessary to treat this disease in the first place. The introduction of non-steroid drugs into the joint cavity is even contraindicated in this case. They temporarily anesthetize the knee, but after the end of their action, the clinical picture will worsen.

Injuries and arthrosis can be treated even by different specialists: a traumatologist and a surgeon. Therefore, if the ad reads: "Synovitis of the knee joint: treatment", - it is better to read about this doctor in advance. Fast results are often achieved by unscrupulous doctors (for the sake of advertising), and then suffer patients who have entrusted their health.