Synovial Fluid- A clear fluid secreted in joint cavities, tendon sheaths, and bursae, and functioning as a lubricant.  When a joint disorder is present, the synovial fluid that is removed and examined can contain indicators of disease, such as white blood cells or crystals.

What is the Function of Synovial Fluid?

Synovial fluid functions as:

1) a lubricant for your joints, it reduces friction. if it weren't for the synovial fluid we would have hot joints.

2) A shock absorber. When we move our bones bounce together, with a small amount of fluid between your joints you are reducing the amount of force placed directly on the bone.

3) Nutrient/Waste transporter. Just like the many other fluids in the human body, the synovial fluid also carries important things back and forth between different parts of the body. In this case it carries nutrients to the bones and takes away the wastes of them.

Synovial Fluid around the Elbow Area

In a healthy elbow joint, the surfaces of the bones are very smooth and covered with a tough protective tissue called cartilage. Arthritis causes damage to the bone surfaces and cartilage where the three bones rub together. These damaged surfaces eventually become painful. Ligaments (Ulnar Collateral Ligament, Annular Ligament, Lateral Collateral Ligament, Radial Collateral Ligament) lie along the sides and back of the elbow, holding the bones of the elbow joint in place. These ligaments work with the muscles that control the bones and the tendons that connect the muscles to the bones so you can bend and straighten your elbow. Fluid-filled sacs (bursae) cushion the area where skin or tendons glide across bone. The elbow also has a lining  that secretes the synovial fluid. This fluid lubricates the joint, further reducing friction and making movement easier. 

As you might expect, there are many different reasons why you could be feeling elbow pain, including injury, infection, and arthritis.

What happens with synovial fluid during Ligament Damage? (Ulnar Collateral Ligament)

As we already know when you require Tommy John Surgery it is due to damage of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament it can be either a slight tear or a full tear.  When this occurs it is very common to see Tendon Sheat inflammation. A tendon is a type of fibrous tissue connects your muscles to your bones. These tissues help control actions such as running, jumping, and lifting. Without tendons you would not be able to control the movement of your body.
Tendons are covered by a protective sheath known as a synovium. This sheath produces a fluid (synovial fluid) that keeps the tendon lubricated. Injury to this area of the body may result in the malfunction of the synovium. If this occurs, the sheath may fail to make synovial fluid or may not make enough fluid. This can cause inflammation or swelling of the synovium. This condition is known as tendon sheath inflammation. It is also sometimes called tenosynovitis.