Knee Keeps Hurting? You Could Have Severe Synovitis
Posted on: 11 February 2018
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If one of your knees ache tremendously during the day, night, or both, you might have severe synovitis. Synovitis occurs when the lining in your knee or another joint becomes inflamed. Several things can cause the lining to inflame, including arthritis, direct trauma, or illness. Here's how synovitis affects your knee and the treatments needed to overcome the pain it causes you.
Why Is Your Knee Inflamed?
The knee joint consists of several intricate and unique tissues, including synovial tissue. Synovial tissue is a thin but protective membrane that covers the ends of your joints. The tissue produces a special liquid called synovial fluid, which allows joints to glide past each other or against soft tissue covering them. Synovial membranes can swell with fluid if you develop an age-related condition called arthritis, or if you strike your knee against something hard.
Any of the problems above can cause great pain to develop in your knee over time. The pain and swelling can occur at any time, including when you go to sleep at night. The fluid in your knee can make it difficult to bend, flex, or move your knee, especially when you rise from bed in the morning.
Your knee won't improve without the proper diagnostic tests and treatments.
How Do You Diagnose and Treat Synovitis?
An orthopedist, or doctor who treats conditions of the bones and joints, can examine and possibly treat your knee with joint arthroscopy. Joint arthroscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows a doctor to see inside and around your joints. Although the procedure isn't as in-depth as traditional surgery, it can reveal much about your condition.
During your procedure, a doctor will insert a tiny camera inside your knee and use it to transmit images to a computer screen. The images on the screen can reveal the exact location of the inflammation and the extent of damage in your knee. It may be possible for an orthopedist to repair or remove the damage in your synovial membrane. If your diagnostic exam reveals extensive damage, you may need to have surgery later on to repair it.
After your exam and possible treatment, you'll need to take a break from work and rest your knee. The tissues in your knee require time to recuperate from the inflammation and exam. If needed, you may take physical therapy sessions to help you regain full use of your knee.
If you need more details about synovitis or joint arthroscopy, contact an orthopedist today. Contact a company like Ultimate Sports for more information and assistance.