Synovitis is an inflammation of the joint lining, called synovium. The symptoms are often of short duration and may change location although when caused by overuse tend to remain in one joint. The pain is usually more severe than expected based on the appearance of the joint on examination. In fact, sometimes there is pain without swelling or even tenderness in the joint, in which case the symptom is called “arthralgias” (literally meaning “joint pain” in Greek). Although synovitis has many different causes, the most common cause in an active healthy person is overuse.
A rheumatologist will try to determine the origin of pain, whether it is in the joint itself, true synovitis, or the tendons, referred to as tendonitis. Treatment usually consists of anti-inflammatory medications and rest.
Source: HSS.edu
