Synovitis

Lining your moveable joints is a membrane called the synovium. Synovitis is an inflammation of this membrane. Synovitis can develop for a number of reasons:

• Transient (toxic) synovitis - Transient synovitis or toxic synovitis is a specific condition that affects children. It is a common cause of sudden hip pain in children, especially children between the ages of 3 and 10. It can result in the child limping or having problems walking. Often, only one hip is affected. (Read about "The Hip") The good news, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), is that this condition is not permanent. For transient or toxic synovitis, the main treatment is rest and anti-inflammatory drugs. Rest at home is extremely important according to AAFP. Among the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can be used are ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says doctors generally do not treat children with aspirin because of the possibility that it will cause bleeding problems, stomach upset, liver problems or Reye's syndrome. (Read about "Gastrointestinal Bleeding" "Gastritis" "The Liver") The condition usually clears in less than a week. If it lasts longer, more medical attention is suggested. X-rays (Read about "X-rays") and other tests may be needed to rule out other conditions. AAFP says it is also important to contact your doctor if other symptoms, such as fever develop. This may be a sign of a more serious problem known as septic arthritis. This condition is caused by a bacterial infection. (Read about "Microorganisms") It is generally treated by draining the fluid and with intravenous antibiotics (Read about "Antibiotics") to avoid permanent damage to the joint. Once the condition clears, your doctor may want to check your child again in about 6 months to make sure everything is OK.
• Synovitis associated with arthritis - Synovitis can result from any of a number of different types of arthritis. (Read about "Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases") Synovitis is commonly seen in people with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus and gout. (Read about "Rheumatoid Arthritis" "Juvenile Arthritis" "Psoriasis" "Lupus" "Gout") It can occur in the knee, the shoulder and the hips. (Read about "The Knee" "The Shoulder") Smaller joints, such as the wrist, ankle (Read about "Feet, Ankles & Legs") and the fingers also can be affected. When synovitis is present, the joint will be swollen, warm and painful. As the disease progresses, the inflamed synovium can invade and damage the cartilage and bone of the joint. When checking for synovitis, in addition to examining the joint, your doctor may also want to take a sample of the synovial fluid for analysis. For treatment of synovitis associated with arthritis, drugs fall into several different categories. Among the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Many of these drugs are available over-the-counter; however long-term use of these products should never be undertaken without a doctor's advice. NIAMS says common side effects of NSAIDs, including those available over-the-counter, can include stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea, and fluid retention. (Read about "Heartburn" "Diarrhea" "Gastritis") Some patients also develop liver and kidney inflammation (Read about "The Liver" "Kidney Disease") while taking NSAIDs, making it especially important to stay in close contact with the doctor while taking these medications. (Read about "Medication and Digestion") Corticosteroids may also be used. These are hormones that can be taken by mouth or given by injection. Prednisone is an example of a corticosteroid that can reduce the inflammation of synovitis.

For more treatment options for inflammation associated with different forms of arthritis, please see "Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases" "Rheumatoid Arthritis" "Juvenile Arthritis" "Psoriasis" "Lupus" "Gout"