Synovitis of the knee

Synovitis of the knee joint is a common pathology associated with inflammation of the joint connective tissue (synovial membrane). As a result, fluid begins to accumulate in it, which may subsequently have a purulent character. The disease is very serious and requires special attention.

The largest of all the joints in the human skeleton is the knee. The importance of its functions is difficult to overestimate. It not only enables us to walk and run, but also implements a supporting function. As a result, it is the knee that is most often subject to various types of injuries.

ICD-10 code

In medicine, the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, is used.

Since January 2007, ICD-10 has been a generally accepted international classification of medical diagnosis codes. It was developed by the World Health Organization. This classification has 21 sections and subsections. The sections contain a list of disease codes. ICD-10 is a normative document that helps keep track of morbidity worldwide.

According to ICD-10, synovitis of the knee joint has the code M65.

Causes of synovitis of the knee joint

The causes of knee synovitis can be divided into several categories:

• mechanical damage resulting from trauma. Pathology in this case is characterized by significant destruction of connective tissues of the articular surface;
• changes inside the joint cavity due to loss of mobility and elasticity of tissues. In this case, a slow infection develops and purulent inflammation is observed.

The traumatic type is the most common. This disease has been studied most thoroughly and has a wide range of treatment options.

A special case that requires attention is the development of synovitis against the background of existing knee damage. Such cases lead to the development of a reactive type of joint synovitis.

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Symptoms of synovitis of the knee joint

For the precise determination of the pathology, the symptoms of synovitis of the knee joint are important. Among them, there are several dominant ones that are inherent in all types of this disease:

• pain sensations that are dull in nature;
• the formation of exudate in large quantities, which leads to an increase in the size of the joint;
• disruption of the natural functioning of the joint, which often manifests itself painfully;

Knowing the main symptoms will help you quickly determine the nature of the injury. If you detect all of the above symptoms, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Acute synovitis of the knee joint

It is one of the types of this disease. In the acute form, the volume of the knee increases for a period of time from several hours to a day. At the same time, the contours of the knee are smoothed out, its shape changes. Also, accompanying symptoms can be called an increase in body temperature, painful sensations during palpation, and limited joint movement.

All of the listed symptoms appear gradually, but joint swelling is observed within a few minutes.

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Chronic synovitis of the knee joint

Another form of the pathology under consideration is chronic synovitis of the knee. This type is much less common than the others.

At the first stage of the development of the chronic form, weakly expressed clinical manifestations of the disease are observed. Often, patients indicate fatigue, rapid fatigability when walking, aching pain and minor discomfort in the diseased joint when moving. As a result of the accumulation of a large amount of effusion, dropsy (hydrarthrosis) is formed in the area of the joint cavity. Its prolonged interaction with the joint leads to stretching of the ligaments and the possibility of dislocation.

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Reactive synovitis of the knee joint

Characterized by a complication of the inflammatory process, which stimulates an increase in the volume of fluid in the joint area, which limits its mobility. It is not very common, but you need to know about the nature of the manifestation and treatment of this form of the disease.

This type of disease is secondary in nature, when there are already signs of the main pathology. Doctors consider it an allergic reaction caused by toxic or mechanical impact.

This is why the elimination of symptoms of reactive synovitis is closely linked to the treatment of the underlying disease.

Posttraumatic synovitis of the knee joint

The most common form of this pathology. The main cause is trauma, abrasions or cuts.

The body immediately reacts to the damage to the synovial membrane and an effusion forms in the joint cavity.

To diagnose the trauma that has developed in the patient, it is necessary to find the cause that caused the disease. It is after trauma that the post-traumatic form of pathology develops.

Synovitis of the right knee joint

Among all cases of diseases, synovitis of the right knee is the most common. The reason for this is the fact that for most people, the right leg has the status of a supporting leg, as a result of which more load falls on it. In such cases, a common form of pathology can be called traumatic or post-traumatic types of disease. If the right knee is injured as a result of dislocation or bruise, then fluid begins to accumulate in the synovial membrane, which leads to an increase in the volume of the knee.

As a result of diagnosing this form of pathology, treatment is primarily aimed at eliminating damage after the injury.

Synovitis of the left knee joint

The cause of left knee synovitis is most often an infection that has entered the joint cavity. In addition, metabolic problems or autoimmune diseases can lead to this disease.

Inflammation without infection of the synovial bag is not dangerous. But as a result of changes in the composition of the fluid, various types of microorganisms may appear. It is this inflammation that can lead to complications. Sometimes it is difficult to visually determine the pathology immediately.

Symptoms quickly begin to manifest and become noticeable. The shape of the knee begins to deform due to the accumulation of fluid, which entails a limitation of movement. Painful sensations do not always appear from the first minutes, but make themselves known over time.

As in the treatment of any disease, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis with synovitis. To be completely sure, it is better to analyze the fluid to determine its composition.

Minimal synovitis of the knee joint

In order to prescribe the correct treatment, the doctor must perform a comprehensive examination to identify the cause that allowed the development of inflammation and the manifestation of the disease.

First of all, the accumulated fluid in the patient's joint cavity is analyzed. The puncture is performed by qualified surgeons. In this case, anesthesia is not used, since the patient does not feel severe pain, only minor discomfort. The doctor takes a sample of the fluid with a needle, which is sent for laboratory testing.

The next therapeutic measure is to provide rest. For this purpose, splints and bandages are used. For this type of disease, a pressure bandage is most often used.

Moderate synovitis of the knee joint

Often, even moderate synovitis of the knee joint is treated with folk remedies. However, not everyone understands that this method of treatment cannot eliminate the disease completely. The use of folk remedies is permissible only in combination with other treatment options for the disease.

Often, to improve the condition of the joint cavity, compresses made from comfrey are used, which heals tissues perfectly.

Herbal infusions are also popular. Most often, it is recommended to mix echinacea, yarrow, eucalyptus, thyme, tansy, birch leaves, and oregano. This mixture is poured with boiling water and infused for an hour. A decoction of these herbs can be drunk all day between meals.

Alternative therapies have many fans, but we should not forget that only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment in accordance with it.

Severe synovitis of the knee joint

For severe synovitis of the knee, there are various treatment options:

• therapy to restore impaired leg function;
• eliminating the cause that caused the disease;
• general strengthening and symptomatic therapy;
• therapeutic exercise;
• Physiotherapy room procedures.

Depending on the stage and cause of the pathology, both conservative and surgical treatment methods are possible.

If surgery is unavoidable, then surgery is the first stage of therapy, and rehabilitation and drug therapy will be used in the future.

Recurrent synovitis of the knee joint

Medicines such as heparin and brufen are used if chronic recurrent synovitis of the knee has been detected. These medicines are most often prescribed on the fourth or fifth day after the removal of fluid from the joint cavity. If they are prescribed immediately after surgery, this may cause bleeding.

In addition, trasylol, lysozyme, and contrical are often used to treat this form.

If positive results are not achieved with conservative treatment methods, a partial or complete synovectomy is performed. This is an operation that is based on opening the cavity of the damaged joint. After the operation, a splint is applied to the knee and hemostatic and anti-inflammatory therapy is performed. After such an operation, complete rest of the leg is necessary for several days.

Exudative synovitis of the knee joint

This type of knee disease can manifest itself without any apparent reason. The consequence of which is irritation of the connective tissues (synovial membrane) during the work of the joint. This form of the disease can also be the result of a torn meniscus, injured cartilage, problems with the joint cavity, which were caused by an insufficient amount of ligamentous apparatus.

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Suprapatellar synovitis of the knee joint

This pathology is associated with inflammation of the membrane above the knee and is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in it.

If we talk about treatment, then in this case only complex therapy will be effective. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to general strengthening therapy, which implies rehabilitation and drug treatment, as well as a set of physical procedures.

A necessary measure is a puncture, which will provide more detailed information about the disease.

Villonodular synovitis of the knee joint

It is extremely rare. Its peculiarity can be called the proliferation of the synovial membrane, as well as the formation of villous or nodular growths.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is associated with periodic, and soon constant swelling in the area of the joint cavity and pain in it.

Diagnosis of this disease includes blood tests, arthroscopy, radiography, puncture, pneumoarthrography and biopsy.

The therapy is quite complicated. Its essence is in the removal of the synovial membrane and subsequent irradiation.

Villous synovitis of the knee joint

It is a type of chronic synovitis, along with serous and serofibrous synovitis.

This form is characterized by a significant manifestation of all existing symptoms of the pathology. Such aggravation is associated with a violation of lymph flow and blood circulation in the knee area.

In addition, the patient experiences frequent relapses of acute synovitis or develops a chronic form. The consequence may be the development of hydroarthrosis. The synovial membrane begins to produce a large amount of fluid, which leads to its depletion.

Effusion synovitis of the knee joint

In essence, it is no different from simple synovitis. Effusion is a fluid that is produced in the synovial membrane of the joint cavity, hence the name of the disease.

If you look at the articular surface, the bones in it will resemble puzzles that fit together perfectly. Between the two bones there is a gap filled with liquid. It is this liquid that helps the bones slide so that the movements are smooth. The synovial membrane is also located here, which is responsible for the correct metabolism in the joint cavity. It is the injury to the membrane that leads to exudative synovitis of the knee joint.

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Secondary synovitis of the knee joint

Despite cases of independent occurrence of synovitis after injury, this disease may be secondary to another disease. It is these cases that are commonly called secondary synovitis of the knee.

Most often, the cause of primary synovitis can be pathologies of metabolic or autoimmune nature. And it can be called secondary if the background for its appearance was another knee disease. Sometimes in such cases, the disease is called not secondary synovitis, but reactive.

Synovitis after knee arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a low-trauma method of endoscopic examination of the joint cavity, as well as its treatment. The operation consists of several punctures, which are tolerated by the patient quite easily.

Synovitis after knee arthroscopy is easily determined in its form. On a large monitor, you can clarify all the subtleties of the manifestation of the disease, determine the location, and identify damage.

The diagnostic type of arthroscopy allows for an accurate diagnosis and effective therapy.

Surgical correction of all problems of the ligamentous apparatus is called surgical arthroscopy.

Synovitis of the knee joint in children

Synovitis of the knee joint in children is considered a common but not fully studied problem. This is due to difficulties in diagnostics. Different methods are used to describe the condition of the articular surface and synovial membrane in children's cases.

First of all, when examining children with knee synovitis, radiography is used, with the help of which it is possible to assess the complexity of the situation in the area of the injured articular cartilage.

Doctors often use ultrasound examination in cases with children. The results of ultrasound examination supplement the existing information and provide a more complete picture. In addition, ultrasound makes it possible to determine the amount of accumulated fluid.

Consequences of synovitis of the knee joint

The consequences of knee synovitis often depend on the timely provision of medical care, the correctness of the therapy and the state of the body.

Different types of knee synovitis have their own consequences.

For example, allergic and serous synovitis are completely cured and do not entail any serious consequences. But if we talk about a severe form of purulent synovitis, then in such cases the consequences may not be the best, up to sepsis, complete immobility of the joint porosity and even death of the sick person.

This is why this disease must be treated with full responsibility in order to avoid unwanted consequences.

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Diagnosis of synovitis of the knee joint

Before you start treating a patient, you need to correctly diagnose his disease. Diagnosis of knee synovitis is primarily needed to identify the cause of the pathology. Information about what caused the manifestation of the disease makes it possible to accurately establish a diagnosis.

First of all, the necessary characteristics of the synovial fluid are obtained in laboratory conditions. The analysis includes determining its color, viscosity, the number of bacteria and protein.

The arthroscopy method is quite informative. It is often used in diagnostics, but is practically not used in cases of detection of the disease in children.

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Treatment of synovitis of the knee joint

Treatment of knee synovitis begins only after a diagnosis has been made.

The first step in the therapy process can be called a puncture, after which part of the accumulated fluid is removed from the patient with a syringe.

After the cavity has been completely cleaned, antibiotics are administered. They are used to prevent infection.

Further actions will be related to the possibility of ensuring the immobility of the joint joints. For this purpose, a fixing bandage is applied, which will help reduce the load on the damaged joint. Such a bandage should be worn for about a week after the puncture was performed.

The next stage is drug treatment to eliminate the possibility of relapse. Injections or tablets of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of targeted action are prescribed. To increase the effectiveness of therapy, it is necessary to use various ointments or gels that have a local effect. They will help to cope with swelling.

In case of re-infection or long unsuccessful fight against infection, antibiotics come to the rescue. They can be prescribed in the form of tablets and injections into the knee area.

Treatment of synovitis of the knee joint with ointments

The use of ointments is not the main method of therapy, but is only a component of a whole range of measures aimed at complete recovery.

Treatment with ointments helps to cope with swelling, restore blood circulation and lymph flow.

In addition to ready-made ointments that are sold in pharmacies, people often use products made from traditional medicine recipes. The most popular ointment is one based on comfrey. It is quite easy to make at home. Mix equal parts of crushed comfrey root with fresh lard to form a homogeneous mass. In order for the ointment to give its results, it is recommended to use it twice a day, rubbing it into the sore leg and wrapping the treated area with a bandage.

Antibiotics for synovitis of the knee joint

They are used in combination with a number of other drugs that actively combat all manifestations of the disease. Antibiotics have a special function - they exclude the possibility of re-infection, especially in the case of a bacterial nature of the disease. They are administered immediately after the puncture, as well as when complications occur. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are used exclusively as prescribed by a doctor.

Refusal of antibiotics or other components of complex therapy can lead to complications and undesirable consequences.

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Surgery for synovitis of the knee joint

Cases when conservative therapy does not give the desired result are far from an exception. It is at this point that surgery becomes a necessary measure that can lead to recovery.

During the operation, the knee cavity is opened, the synovial membrane is resected and all foreign bodies are removed.

After the operation, it is necessary to perform antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hemostatic therapy. During the rehabilitation period, physical activity is excluded and physiotherapy and exercise therapy are used.

Physiotherapy for synovitis of the knee joint

It is part of the rehabilitation period. Physiotherapy sessions are methods of therapy and recovery using magnetic radiation, electric current, air, heat, light, etc.

Physiotherapy does not stand still, but is rapidly developing. Today, various modern methods have been developed that affect the body and have the ability to eliminate local problems. The physiotherapist takes into account the characteristics of the patient's disease and will select the necessary procedures that will speed up the rehabilitation process.

Physiotherapy for synovitis of the knee joint

Physical therapy is a set of specially selected exercises aimed at therapy and recovery of the patient. All exercises are performed only under the supervision of an instructor or doctor.

Such an effective set of exercises helps to quickly complete a rehabilitation course. Such therapeutic physical training sessions stimulate the body and lead to full recovery.

Treatment of synovitis of the knee joint with honey

Everyone knows about the healing properties of honey, which help the patient in the recovery process. Treatment with honey also has a place among the recipes of traditional medicine. Honey is used in combination with other components that have a beneficial effect on recovery from illness. We suggest you familiarize yourself with one of these recipes.

Ingredients required:

• rye – 1 cup;
• water – 2 liters;
• honey – 1 kg;
• vodka - 0.5 liters;
• barberry root – 3 dessert spoons.

Pour water over rye grains and put on fire. Boil for 25 minutes. After the mixture has cooled, strain. Add honey, vodka and barberry to the resulting mass. Mix thoroughly and put the mixture in a dark place for three weeks.

The finished product should be eaten in portions (3 tablespoons) half an hour before meals. When all the prepared medicine is finished, this will indicate that the course of therapy is over. For maximum effect, it is recommended to take two or three such courses.

Treatment of chronic synovitis of the knee joint

The chronic form of senovitis is characterized by constant production of effusion and infiltration of the synovial membrane. Treatment is based on the use of inhibitors, as well as proteolytic enzymes.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe drugs that stabilize the membranes of lysosomes and reduce their permeability. A similar effect will be from the use of corticosteroids in small doses. Such therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and quickly brings the synovial area of the injured joint to a good condition.

Treatment of posttraumatic synovitis of the knee joint

Treatment requires a comprehensive approach. Based on each specific case, the decision on conservative therapy or surgical intervention is made individually. The basis for it is the severity of the damage after the injury.

Properly selected therapy and a complex aimed at rehabilitation will provide the opportunity for full recovery after the injury.

Treatment of reactive synovitis of the knee joint

Treatment can be divided into several components.

• First of all, a knee puncture is performed. The puncture is performed without anesthesia, because it is not accompanied by painful sensations. The doctor uses a thin needle to puncture the joint and collect a sample of synovial fluid. After that, the collected fluid is sent for laboratory testing.
• The next equally important step is immobilization (limitation of mobility) of the joint joints. Such a measure provides the sore leg with rest and reduces the load on it to a minimum. For this, pressure bandages or special kneecaps are used.
• The following actions will be related to drug therapy of reactive synovitis. They are aimed at combating inflammatory processes, which significantly accelerates the recovery process.

Prevention of synovitis of the knee joint

To prevent the occurrence of primary or recurrent disease, it is necessary to prevent synovitis of the knee joint. This is a set of rules and measures that will help maintain the health of your legs.

When doing sports, you need to be careful. This will help protect your knee from injury. In addition, special attention should be paid to the choice of shoes, not only in which you train, but also in which you walk every day. Suitable shoes will protect you from injury. For people who devote a lot of time to sports training, it is recommended to fix the joint joints with special pads or bandages.

Prognosis of synovitis of the knee joint

When making a prognosis for knee joint synovitis, you need to focus on the following points. To save yourself from serious consequences, you need to:

• eliminate the causes that caused this pathology;
• restore the impaired functions of the joint capsule;
• carry out general strengthening therapy;
• attend physiotherapy sessions and exercise therapy classes.

If surgery is suggested as a way to eliminate existing problems, then drug therapy and rehabilitation therapy are mandatory.

Synovitis of the knee joint and the army

For young people who are called up for the first time, a medical examination is mandatory. There is a list of pathologies that are incompatible with military service. Among the large number of diseases, you can also find synovitis of the knee joint.

It says that dislocations of large joints that occur more than 3-4 times a year due to minor physical exertion, accompanied by relapses and mild muscle atrophy are the reason for refusal to perform military service. That is why synovitis of the knee joint in many of its manifestations and the army are incompatible.