What are the imaging findings of knee synovitis?
Disease description:
My joints have been experiencing pain and inflammation recently. I'd like to get an imaging test—could you please tell me what imaging findings are typical for knee synovitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Shuai
The imaging findings of knee synovitis are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Synovial proliferation: Imaging examinations can reveal varying degrees of synovial proliferation, which is an inflammatory response caused by irritation of the synovium.
2. Joint effusion: Knee synovitis leads to accumulation of fluid within the joint cavity, and the presence of this effusion is a key feature of synovitis.
3. Cartilage changes: In severe cases of knee synovitis, surrounding cartilage may be affected, leading to cartilage thinning, irregular morphology, and even formation of subchondral bone cysts due to penetration of joint fluid.
4. Bone alterations: In some cases, knee synovitis may also be accompanied by bony changes, such as subchondral sclerosis or cystic degeneration.
These imaging features are important for the diagnosis of knee synovitis and also indicate that patients should receive early treatment to prevent impaired walking ability or progression to more severe degenerative osteoarthritis.
