Joint capsules surround synovial joints, holding synovial fluid in place and providing a shell for the joint. Malfunctioning capsules can cause problems such as frozen shoulder and plica syndrome. Different joints have different types of synovial joints, and the capsule consists of an outer layer and an inner synovial membrane.
A joint capsule is a piece of tissue that surrounds a synovial joint. Its purpose is to hold the joint’s synovial fluid in place, as well as to provide a shell for the entire joint. The capsule performs an important function at all synovial joints, but can cause problems, such as frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis and inflamed skin fold syndrome, when it doesn’t work properly.
The most common type of joint in the human body is the synovial joint, which contains a fluid that helps lubricate movement. Fibrous joints contain neither synovial fluid nor a joint capsule. Joints that contain this fluid can perform a number of different actions, including abduction, extension, and rotation.
Synovial joints appear in the body in a number of different forms. For example, the elbow is a simple hinge joint, while the hip is a more complicated ball and socket joint that allows for greater range of motion. Joint capsules are present in all of these joints.
The capsule consists of two separate layers. The first is an outer layer that contains a colorless, fibrous tissue. The second inner layer is often called the synovial membrane. Both of these layers need to be in a healthy state for the joint to move as it should.
An example of a problem that can be caused when this tissue malfunctions is frozen shoulder. This is caused by the shoulder capsule thickening, which then inhibits the movement of the joint. The most common symptoms include the shoulder becoming stiff and sore and, in many cases, the shoulder will follow a predictable progression where it will ‘freeze’ before entering the ‘frozen’ phase. This disease can last up to a year before the shoulder functions normally again.
Plica syndrome affects the joint capsule of the knee and occurs when the synovial tissue surrounding the joint becomes inflamed. In many cases, this is due to repetitive strain on the joint during activities such as running or jumping. There are some cases, however, where a direct impact injury can cause the capsule to become inflamed. Plica syndrome is often difficult to diagnose, as some of the symptoms are similar to other more common knee injuries, such as patellofemoral syndrome and IT band syndrome. If the tear cannot be managed, surgery to remove the plica is occasionally needed.
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