What is "synovectomy"

n. Joint lining removal.

Synovectomy is a procedure recommended to provide relief from a condition in which the synovial membrane or the joint lining becomes inflamed and irritated. The synovial membrane encloses each joint and also secretes a lubricating fluid that allows different joint motions such as rolling, folding and stretching. When the synovium becomes inflamed or irritated, it increases fluid production, resulting in warmth, tenderness, and swelling in and around the joint.

A synovectomy is a procedure often suggested for those with rheumatoid arthritis or other forms of inflammatory arthritis when non-operative treatments have failed. This procedure can be performed in several ways, namely surgical synovectomy, chemical synovectomy and radiological.

The surgical procedure can be performed arthroscopically or by opening the joint to remove the synovial tissue surrounding the joint that has become inflamed and swollen. Chemical Synovectomy involves an intraarticular osmic acid injection with the objective to debulk or reduce the inflammatory synovial mass.