The knee is one of the synovial joints in the body, which are the large joints that have a synovial membrane that lines the joint. The synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid, which lubricates the knee joint to help prevent friction during movement. Synovitis of the knee is an inflammation of the synovial membrane, which is usually caused by another condition. Our knee specialist, Dr. Buechel, at Robotic Joint Center offers synovitis of the knee treatment at our medical center in NYC.

Causes and Symptoms of Knee Synovitis

Knee synovitis is usually caused by another condition impacting the knee. Arthritis, injury, joint replacement surgery or cancer can irritate the synovial membrane, resulting in inflammation. Since synovitis is usually a secondary condition, treating the primary condition can help relieve symptoms, which include:

• Red, warm skin on the knee
• Swollen knee joint
• Pain and stiffness in the knee

In some cases, autoimmune diseases, like gout or rheumatoid arthritis, can be the primary cause of synovitis or abnormal synovial conditions. The synovial membrane can become thickened and release excess synovial fluid, which can destroy healthy cartilage in the knee joint. When conservative treatments are ineffective at treating knee synovitis or thickening of the synovial membrane, surgery may be recommended.

Synovial Debridement with Arthroscopy

Some patients experience excess knee scar tissue after knee joint replacement surgery. This condition can result in synovitis when the implant pinches the scar tissue in the synovium or knee joint lining. Dr. Buechel can use arthroscopy to trim and debride the inflamed synovial tissue to relieve pain and swelling. This is a minimally-invasive, knee scar tissue removal surgery that can correct synovitis caused by a knee replacement procedure.

If you have synovitis that is causing pain, swelling and functional issues in the knee, contact us at Robotic Joint Center in UES New York City to schedule a knee consultation. Our knee specialist, Dr. Buechel, can diagnose the cause and determine the best synovitis of the knee treatment.