synovitis

{{Short description|Inflammation of the synovial membrane within a joint}}

{{for|the condition of inflammation of the nasal sinuses|Sinusitis}}

{{Infobox medical condition (new)

| name = Synovitis

| image = Chronic synovitis -- high mag.jpg

| caption = Chronic synovitis

| field = Rheumatology

| pronounce =

| synonyms =

| symptoms =

| complications =

| onset =

| duration =

| types =

| causes =

| risks =

| diagnosis =

| differential =

| prevention =

| treatment =

| medication =

| prognosis =

| frequency =

| deaths =

}}

Synovitis is the medical term for inflammation of the synovial membrane. This membrane lines joints that possess cavities, known as synovial joints. The condition is usually painful, particularly when the joint is moved. The joint usually swells due to synovial fluid collection.

File:Acute synovitis of the knee joint Wellcome L0061425.jpg

Synovitis may occur in association with arthritis as well as lupus, gout, and other conditions. Synovitis is more commonly found in rheumatoid arthritis than in other forms of arthritis, and can thus serve as a distinguishing factor, although it is also present in many joints affected with osteoarthritis.{{cite journal |vauthors=Sutton S, Clutterbuck A, Harris P, Gent T, Freeman S, Foster N, Barrett-Jolley R, Mobasheri A |date=2009|title=The contribution of the synovium, synovial derived inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis |journal=The Veterinary Journal |volume=179 |issue=1|pages=10–24|doi=10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.08.013 |pmid=17911037 }}{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1016/j.bone.2012.02.012| title = The role of synovitis in osteoarthritis pathogenesis| journal = Bone| volume = 51| issue = 2| pages = 249–57| year = 2012| last1 = Scanzello | first1 = C. R. | last2 = Goldring | first2 = S. R. | pmc = 3372675 | pmid=22387238}} In rheumatoid arthritis, the fibroblast-like synoviocytes, highly specialized mesenchymal cells found in the synovial membrane, play an active and prominent role in the synovitis.{{cite journal |doi=10.1038/s41584-020-0413-5 |title=Restoring synovial homeostasis in rheumatoid arthritis by targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes |year=2020 |last1=Nygaard |first1=Gyrid |last2=Firestein |first2=Gary S. |journal=Nature Reviews Rheumatology|volume=16 |issue=6 |pages=316–333 |pmid=32393826 |s2cid=218573182 |pmc=7987137 }} Long term occurrence of synovitis can result in degeneration of the joint.