What condition arises when a thorn lodged near a joint capsule causes chronic inflammation?
Answer
Plant thorn arthritis or synovitis.
When a puncture wound from plant matter is deep enough to penetrate the joint space or the protective sheath surrounding a tendon (tendon sheath), the presence of the foreign body—even if sterile—can provoke a prolonged inflammatory response. This response, characterized by persistent joint swelling, stiffness, and deep, aching pain centered within the joint structure rather than on the surface skin, is clinically termed plant thorn arthritis or synovitis. It is vital to distinguish this sterile foreign body reaction from septic arthritis, which is an active infection within the joint fluid, as the treatment protocols for managing chronic inflammation versus acute infection differ significantly.
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