Synovitis
Synovitis is inflammation of the joint lining and can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.
When to get help quickly: Prompt review is important if the joint is very hot, swollen, painful, or there is fever, because infection in a joint needs urgent attention.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness, and difficulty moving the joint properly.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show whether the joint lining is inflamed, whether there is extra fluid, and whether another joint problem is contributing to the symptoms.
What radiology does
Ultrasound and MRI can help show thickened joint lining, increased fluid, and active inflammation.
What usually happens next
Management depends on the cause and may involve rheumatology care, medicines, injections, or treatment of underlying infection or inflammatory disease.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.