Definition
Synovitis (also known as synovitis) refers to an inflammation in the joint. It is specifically an inflammation of the joint capsule, i.e. the connective tissue surrounding the joint. The innermost layer of the joint capsule is affected by the inflammation.
On the hand, it is usually the wrist that is affected. However, there may also be complaints in the small joints (metacarpophalangeal, finger joints). A distinction is also made between acute and chronic synovitis of the hand.
Causes
In the causes of synovitis of the hand or wrist, a distinction must be made between acute and chronic causes. Acute synovitis can be caused by trauma or an accident. Bacterial inflammation is also possible.
For example, the bacteria can get into the wrist through an injection. In addition, feverish infections due to viruses or bacteria can attack the wrists and lead to acute inflammatory reactions of the joint capsules. In chronic synovitis, overloading is often the cause of the disease.
Especially people who work a lot with their hands (craftsmen, competitive athletes, office workers with a lot of computer work) are affected by these symptoms of overload. Inflammatory systemic diseases such as rheumatism can also trigger synovialitis in the hand or wrist. Rheumatism is a disease that can manifest itself in many different symptoms.
The mechanism of the disease is that the immune system attacks the body’s own cells, thus triggering chronic inflammatory processes. The fingers and wrists are often affected by rheumatic complaints. This leads to so-called rheumatoid arthritis, in which the joints are swollen, overheated and reddened. In addition, severe pain can occur in the joints. These inflammatory processes, which are constantly being fired up by the body, can cause chronic inflammation of the synovia and thus synovitis in the wrist.
Associated symptoms
Acute synovitis in the hand or wrist is usually accompanied by other inflammatory symptoms. These include the five classic signs of inflammation – redness, pain, overheating, swelling and limited functionality. Acute synovitis is usually triggered by acute overstrain of the hand or trauma, so often only one side is affected by the disease.
Chronic synovitis, on the other hand, is often an expression of permanent or repeated overstraining of the hand. Therefore, it occurs relatively often on both sides at about the same time (unless someone has a permanent severe one-sided strain on one hand). In addition, it is very persistent and is also noticeable again after repeated therapeutic attempts.
If chronic synovitis is caused by systemic diseases such as rheumatism, the inflammatory processes usually do not only occur on the hands. Other joints such as the knee, hip and finger joints can also be affected. This also causes pain as well as swelling and redness of the joints. In later stages, destruction of the joints is also not uncommon, resulting in malpositions and severe restrictions of movement. Chronic synovialitis therefore makes itself felt in the late stages of the hand in particular in many fine motor movements of everyday life.
