Synovitis and tenosynovitis
Synovitis and tenosynovitis are conditions where the protective linings of your joints or the coverings of your tendons become swollen and painful.
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Your joints are lined with a thin layer called the synovium, which creates a slippery fluid to help you move smoothly. Synovitis happens when this lining becomes inflamed, or irritated and swollen. Your tendons, which act like strong ropes attaching muscle to bone, are often protected by a smooth sheath or tube called the tenosynovium. When this sheath becomes inflamed, the condition is called tenosynovitis.
These conditions most often affect the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles because these parts move constantly. When these linings swell, it creates friction, making movement feel stiff or painful instead of smooth.
Common Symptoms
- Visible swelling or puffiness around a joint or along a tendon.
- Pain that gets worse when you move the affected area.
- Tenderness when you press on the skin over the joint or tendon.
- A sensation of catching, clicking, or locking when you try to move a finger or wrist.
- Warmth or redness on the skin over the swollen area.