How do you test for synovial plica syndrome?

Plica stutter test is carried out with the patient in sitting position and the two knees flexed freely over the side of a couch, the margins of the patella are palpated to detect any stutter as the knee is actively extended from the initial flexed position which usually occur in the mid-range of motion.

What is plica surgery?

When your kneecap glides back and forth, it can pinch the plica, causing pain. This minimally invasive procedure is performed by your surgeon using a small incision and the insertion of a scope and a specialized surgical instrument to remove the damaged synovial tissue and plica.

How do you know if you have plica syndrome?

If you have plica syndrome, your knee may hurt and swell. It may lock, give way, catch, or make a clicking sound. People with the condition say their knee doesn’t feel stable. It hurts to walk up or down stairs.

What is the pathophysiology of progressive plica syndrome?

Plica syndrome is a post-traumatic or post-inflammatory thickening, chronic inflammation (synovitis), and/or fibrosis of the synovial plicae of the knee. This means that the plica (PLI-kah) has been irritated by overuse or injury to the knee.

What does it mean when your plica is irritated?

This means that the plica (PLI-kah) has been irritated by overuse or injury to the knee. Most commonly affecting the medial plica, the symptoms mimic those of other knee problems, such as a torn meniscus, causing patella pain, snapping, clicking, and tenderness of the joint.

What are the treatment options for plica syndrome?

However, surgery is not the first line of treatment and conservative treatment is usually tried first. The treatment for plica syndrome is usually conservative. Ice, activity modification, and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are used to reduce inflammation of the plica and its thickening. Compression wrapping of the knee may also be ordered.