Do you post your step count on WeChat Moments? People who rank high should take a look. There is a danger that is quietly approaching.

Author: Hou Jiayi Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Reviewer: Jia Yongxing, Executive Editor of Popular Medicine Magazine, Shanghai Science and Technology Press

In recent years, with the rise of WeChat's national sports and sports bracelets, more and more people are posting their "step counts" on their Moments. Some people even "run wildly" every day to compete for rankings. Many middle-aged and elderly people also walk tens of thousands of steps at a time. It seems that the longer they walk, the healthier they are. However, they don't know that the wrong walking method and "running wildly" will cause knee synovitis to sneak up on you.

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Why does knee synovitis occur?

Synovial cells in human joints can secrete fluid to lubricate and nourish the joints. When the synovial membrane of the joint is damaged, it causes congestion or edema, and exudes fluid, which manifests as synovitis and joint effusion. The most common disease is knee synovitis. The onset of knee synovitis is closely related to age, trauma, and humid environment. It is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, especially after long-term weight bearing, chronic strain or excessive exercise. A small number of young people also suffer from knee synovitis, which is common after strenuous exercise, and incorrect habitual movements can also cause the disease to occur.

What are the symptoms of knee synovitis?

1. Knee swelling and pain When the disease attacks, the knee will have swelling pain or dull pain, especially when the knee is straightened or fully flexed; comparing the bilateral knee joints, the affected side joint will be found to be obviously full, and there will be a floating feeling when pressing the knee. 2. Limited knee joint movement Because the effusion in the joint limits the movement and elasticity of the joint capsule, the range of joint movement is limited, which is often manifested as difficulty in standing when squatting.

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3. In case of acute onset of knee synovitis with fever, the local skin temperature will increase. In a few cases, secondary bacterial infection may occur, and systemic fever may also occur.

What precautions should patients with knee synovitis take?

1. Avoid cold knee joints. Pay attention to keeping the knee joints warm. Especially in the summer when using air conditioning, do not blow the air outlet directly at the knee joints; avoid working in a cold environment.

2. Choose the right exercise method. If you suffer from knee synovitis, you should stop excessive activities immediately. Long-term "running wildly" can easily wear out the knee joint. You should choose an exercise method that is suitable for your age. You can do some exercises that put less load on the knee joint, such as swimming. The exercise time is best controlled within 30 to 60 minutes, and the amount of exercise should not be too large. If you feel pain or other discomfort during exercise, you should stop exercising immediately to avoid damaging the knee joint.

3. Early treatment of knee synovitis should be actively treated after discovery. Local physical therapy, such as microwave therapy or far infrared therapy, can relieve discomfort. If the symptoms of knee pain and swelling cannot be relieved, see a doctor for relevant examinations as soon as possible. Early drug treatment for patients with knee synovitis can promote the absorption of inflammation, reduce the formation of effusion, and have a better prognosis.