Arthritis Joint Pain Synovitis: Causes and Treatments of Joint Inflammation How to Manage Inflammation of the Synovial Tissue of a Joint By Jonathan Cluett, MD Updated on September 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is the Synovium? Synovitis Symptoms Causes of Synovitis Diagnosis Treatment Synovitis is a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of the synovial tissue, the lining of a joint. This condition can cause joint pain and swelling. It is the hallmark of all inflammatory joint diseases. This article will explain what synovial tissue is, the causes of synovitis, and how you can treat the condition so you can gain relief from the inflammation and pain. dragana991 / Getty Images What Is the Synovium? The synovium is a thin layer of tissue that lines the joints and tendon sheaths; it is only a few cells thick. The synovium acts to control the environment within the joint and tendon sheath. It does this in two ways: First, it acts as a membrane to determine what can pass into the joint space and what stays outside.Second, the cells within the synovium produce substances that lubricate the joint. Synovitis Symptoms The signs of synovitis are similar to other joint disorders: Arthralgia, aching or pain in the joint A warm sensation in the area of the joint Stiffness, which may be worse when you first wake up Swelling; although in some cases, your joint may not swell at all. You may feel the symptoms of synovium inflammation in different joints throughout your body, or the pain and discomfort might be restricted to one area. Causes of Synovitis The primary cause of inflammation of the synovium is related to an overactive immune system. In these situations, your immune system attacks your healthy synovium. This causes excessive growth of the synovium. The membrane becomes inflamed and produces additional synovial fluid. With these conditions, the joint cartilage and bone can eventually become damaged, leading to stiffness, swelling, warmth in the joint, and significant pain. Inflammation of the synovial tissue is often related to arthritic conditions. It’s most common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it also presents with psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and gout. Autoimmune Arthritis Osteoarthritis can also lead to synovitis. It seems to manifest as the disease becomes progressively worse. Synovitis Without Arthritis Even if you do not have a joint disease such as RA, you may develop synovitis ifyou participate in activities that involve repetitive movements or motions that put stress on joints. Diagnosis When diagnosing synovitis, a healthcare provider usually starts with a physical exam of the joints, checking for warmth and seeing if they are tender when touched. The thickening of the area manifests as a sponginess that can be felt. In cases where the inflammation is related to a joint that is deeper under the skin and can’t be checked by hand or eyes, your healthcare provider may order an MRI or musculoskeletal ultrasound. Differential Diagnosis One aim of the exam is to determine whether the problem is actually with the joint and synovial tissue, and confirm that it is not a problem with the tendon (tendonitis). Treatment To reduce inflammation and relieve pain, your healthcare provider will likely advise rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil (ibuprofen). Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that help manage arthritis may also relieve symptoms of synovitis. Sometimes, your healthcare provider may prescribe steroid injections to reduce swelling and discomfort. If medication does not help ease synovitis, you may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who can perform a synovectomy. This is a procedure in which part of the synovium is removed. 7 Rheumatoid Arthritis Surgery Options Summary Synovitis is the medical term for inflammation of the tissue that lines your joints. This tissue can become damaged, which leads to a thickening of the membrane and excessive fluid. An underlying autoimmune disease that affects the joints, usually RA, is the most likely cause of synovitis, but other types of arthritis and wear and tear can also cause it. Anti-inflammatory medications are the first line of treatment. However, DMARDS, steroid injections, or even surgery may be required to relieve your pain. A Word From Verywell Not all joint pain is alike. Before you chalk your aches and stiffness up to age or overuse and think there's little you can do, discuss the problem with your healthcare provider. Your joint pain may be related to inflammation that can be treated, and your discomfort may be able to be managed with medication or lifestyle changes. 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Smith MD. The normal synovium. Open Rheumatol J. 2011;5:100–106. doi:10.2174/1874312901105010100 Creaky Joints. What is synovitis, and how does it affect arthritis? Hospital for Special Surgery. Synovitis. Mathiessen A, Conaghan PG. Synovitis in osteoarthritis: current understanding with therapeutic implications. Arthritis Res Ther. 2017;19(1):18. Additional Reading Adelani MA, et al. Benign synovial disorders. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2008 May;16(5):268-75. doi:10.5435/00124635-200805000-00005 By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. He served as assistant team physician to Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) and the United States men's and women's national soccer teams. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit