Plica syndrome: What Is Plica Syndrome and How To Treat?

Is plica syndrome in athletes?

Plica syndrome is often characterized by anterior knee pain, which is most commonly found along the superomedial aspect Knee. The “plica” is because of the remnants of embryonic tissue that compartmentalizes the knee during fetal development. Plica is considered a “vestigial” structure, which means that he has lost his ability to function over time and do not functionally affect an individual whether it exists or does not exist. Has been likened to the appendix, which can be a source of pain but did not have a significant important function.

What are the symptoms in athletes?

Plica syndrome usually characterized by pain near side (front and towards the midline) anteromedial patella (kneecap). The pain is usually associated with the knee flexed and irritated after and during exercise. Usually, there are no other symptoms besides pain is present, but can sometimes be accompanied by swelling of the knee after prolonged physical activity.

How is it diagnosed in athletes?

Plica syndrome is a difficult diagnosis in athletes, and often performed after the “exception,” the general, structural causes of knee pain. Athletes will usually complain of discomfort along the front or inside the knee. Usually there is no “mechanical symptoms” locking or catching the plica, but a sense of broken or capture of a large plica may rarely occur. There may be pain in the medial femoral condyle plica or where the plica is abrading the bone. X-rays are usually normal. MRI can show the plica on certain views, but particularly useful to exclude bone bruising, meniscus tears, ligament injuries, and cartilage defects can also cause the same pain and swelling in the knee joint. Not useful for routine laboratory diagnosis of plica syndrome, but it may help to identify other potential causes of knee pain.

What is the initial cause plica syndrome in athletes?

Most often the plica syndrome precipitated by a history of blunt trauma to the front of the knee or prolonged strenuous exercise. Plica is embryologic remnant that is present throughout life, but it is believed that a traumatic event or repetitive microtrauma is responsible for inciting inflammation and symptoms.

Treatment for Plica Syndrome

For info treatment, including treatment of non-surgical and minimally invasive surgery, please discuss further with our specialist.

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