Synovitis of the Hip
Synovitis is swelling (inflammation) in the synovial membrane that lines some of your joints, including your hip joint, and can cause considerable pain. If left untreated, your hip pain may continue to worsen, which can make movement increasingly difficult. You can develop more and more synovitis which can eventually lead to the destruction of articular cartilage which is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form the joint. Trying to ignore hip pain and swelling may result in a more serious underlying condition going undiagnosed. To avoid this, the place to start is at Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Their orthopedic specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating synovitis of the hip. Well-qualified and compassionate, they can be your trusted partner in the journey to a healthier, more active, pain-free life.
OVERVIEW
All the freely movable joints of the body have a lubricating lining called the synovial membrane. Any joint in the body that has a synovial membrane can develop synovitis including the hip. The synovial membrane produces more than its usual thin film of lubricating fluid when it is inflamed and this can result in severe pain in the joint. When the synovial membrane becomes inflamed for a short period, it is often referred to as “transient” synovitis. Hip synovitis can be associated with various conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trauma. In people with hip osteoarthritis, some studies have shown that synovitis can be found in about 40-70% of patients, depending on the severity and diagnostic methods used.
ABOUT THE HIP
The hip joint is one of the largest joints in the body. The hip joint is a connection point between the legs and torso. It is a ball-and-socket joint. The socket is formed by the acetabulum, which is part of the large pelvis bone. The ball is the femoral head, which is the upper end of the femur (thighbone). This type of joint offers a wide range of motion and provides support for the legs to hold the body. The function of the hip joint is to provide balance and support for the upper body, move the upper leg, and hold one’s body weight. The ball and socket joint lets the upper leg move at 3 degrees to allow for the following movements:
- Flex
- Extend
- Rotate
- A back-and-forth motion
- A circular motion
Each hip bone is made up of three bones. It may look like one bone, but each hip bone is made up of the ilium, pubis, and ischium, which are completely fused.
WHAT IS SYNOVITIS OF THE HIP
Synovitis (or synovial inflammation) is when the synovium of a joint becomes inflamed (swollen). The synovium, which is also sometimes called the stratum synoviale or synovial stratum, is a connective tissue that lines the inside of the hip joint capsule. A joint capsule, also called an articular capsule, is a bubble-like structure that surrounds joints. It is composed of a tough, outer layer called the fibrous stratum and a soft inside layer (the synovium). Contained inside both layers is synovial fluid, a viscous liquid that lubricates the joint to reduce friction on the articular cartilage during motion. The joint capsule ensures that the joint is sealed, thus keeping the synovial fluid within the joint. Synovitis comes in several forms including:
- Acute synovitis—this causes the joint volume to increase for a few hours to an entire day
- Chronic synovitis—not as common as acute synovitis
- Reactive synovitis—an uncommon type of synovitis causing an increase in the volume of fluid in the joint
- Post-traumatic synovitis—the most common type. When the synovium becomes damaged, the body reacts causing pain and swelling
Read more about Synovitis of the Hip on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with a hip specialist today.