A "capsule" of shoulder ligaments hold the shoulder joint in place. The innermost layer of cells is the synovial shoulder membrane, which creates a fluid (synovial fluid) that lubricates and nourishes joint tissues.
However, infection, trauma and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to irritation of this membrane — a condition called shoulder synovitis. Essentially, white blood cells migrate from the blood stream into the synovium. The synovial membrane becomes inflamed, and the entire shoulder joint can become puffy and painful to the touch.
For severe synovial shoulder symptoms, a procedure called synovectomy can trim away the inflamed part of the synovium.
The orthopedics departments of John C. Lincoln Hospitals invite you to watch this introduction to surgical treatment of synovial shoulder irritation.