Arthroscopic synovectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves removing inflamed synovial tissue from within the joint using an arthroscope. Synovial tissue is the lining of the joint that produces synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joint.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Siddharth Yadav, Consultant Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, said, “Arthroscopic synovectomy is usually recommended for patients with inflammatory joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or other types of rheumatoid arthritis. arthritis These conditions can cause the synovial tissue to become inflamed and thickened, causing pain, stiffness, and joint damage. The goal is to remove inflamed synovial tissue, reduce joint pain and inflammation, and reduce or prevent further joint damage. “
He added, “The procedure can be performed on any joint, but it is most commonly performed on the knee, shoulder, ankle, elbow, and wrist. The decision to perform an arthroscopic synovectomy depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of joint inflammation, the presence of joint damage, and the patient’s overall health and medical history. Arthroscopic synovectomy is usually recommended when other nonsurgical treatments, such as medications, physical therapy, and injections, have not provided adequate relief of joint pain and stiffness.
Dr Vineet Tyagi, Associate Director, Department of Orthopaedics, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Dehradun, brings his expertise, “Arthroscopic synovectomy is an arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery in which abnormal or inflamed synovium is removed from joints. Synovium is a thin layer of membrane that lines the inner lining of synovial joints. Simple Synovial joints are the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, etc. The function of the synovium is to provide synovial fluid or lubrication to these joints, allowing the bones of the joint to move and glide freely against each other.”
He highlighted, “In general, various types of arthritis such as gout or other inflammatory arthritis, injury or overuse of the associated joint can also cause synovitis of that particular joint. This causes inflammation in the synovial layer, which then produces more than normal synovial fluid that lubricates the cartilage of the joint. Damage. Excessive inflammation of the synovial tissue can result in abnormal inflammation and persistent joint pain. Joints with synovitis can have symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Loss of cartilage eventually leads to permanent damage to the joint surface. With the help of arthroscopic synovectomy, we can effectively treat the problems associated with synovitis. In this procedure, the inflamed synovial tissue is removed from within the joint, without any large surgical incisions, using an arthroscope. This procedure can help prevent further arthritic damage to the joint and recurrent joint pain and swelling. Helps prevent.
Dr Ayyappan V Nair, consultant in shoulder surgery, sports medicine and arthroscopy at Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, Sarjapur and Jayanagar, Bangalore, reveals, “The synovium is the inner lining of the joint. All joints—including the knee joint and hip joint—have a synovial lining. Synovium produces a fluid that acts as a lubricant for the joint. It helps in movement and prevents any kind of arthritic problems. When there are certain arthritic conditions or conditions that affect the synovium, such as pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), the synovium produces abnormal fluid as well as loose bodies or cartilaginous bodies within. In that kind of scenario, we have to remove the synovium partially or completely. The procedure is done as keyhole surgery or arthroscopy where we will create 2 to 3 small keyholes through which we pass a camera into the joint using a catheter. We routinely perform hip arthroscopy and synovectomy of knees and other joints at our hospital. It is a quick process and takes about half an hour. Patients may stay in the hospital for one day after the procedure for observation.