periartikulär

Periarticular refers to structures, processes, or conditions located around a joint. The term is used to describe tissues surrounding a synovial joint, including the joint capsule, ligaments, tendons and periarticular muscles, bursae, and fat pads, as well as nearby nerves and blood vessels. It also appears in phrases describing pathology or interventions directed at these surrounding tissues.

Anatomy and scope: Periarticular areas encompass a network of soft tissues adjacent to the joint capsule. These structures can contribute to joint pain or functional limitation even when the articular cartilage and intra-articular spaces are not directly affected. In clinical practice, distinguishing periarticular from intra-articular involvement helps guide diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical relevance: The term is common in orthopedics, rheumatology, and sports medicine. Periarticular pain may originate from ligaments, tendons, bursae, or periarticular muscles. Periarticular injections deliver medications around the joint to reduce inflammation and pain while avoiding entry into the joint space. Periarticular fractures describe bone injuries near a joint, where the fracture line is close to but not necessarily through the articular surface, influencing management decisions.

Imaging and terminology: Radiology and musculoskeletal literature use periarticular to describe findings around a joint, in contrast to intra-articular findings that involve the joint cavity or surface. The term helps localize pathology to the tissues surrounding the joint rather than the joint itself.

Etymology: The term derives from peri- meaning around and arthron meaning joint. It is used in several languages with similar meaning, including English and Scandinavian medical literature.