Plica syndrome

Introduction

constellation of signs & symptoms that occur secondary to injury or overuse of the knee

Pathology

• persistence of embryonal synovial remnants
• inflammation from repetitive stress, a single blunt trauma, joint mice, osteochondritis dissecans, meniscal tears

Clinical manifestations

• onset of symptoms usually delayed until adolescence
• not all synonvial plicae are symptomatic
• anterior knee pain, may be episodic
• clicking; high-pitched snapping
• knee buckling, knee locking
• aggravation of symptoms by activity, stair climbing, prolonged standing, squatting, or sitting

Radiology

• radiograph of knee to rule out other pathology

Complications

• common comorbidities include:
  • meniscal tears
  • patellar tendonitis
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease
  • Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease
  • patellar instability

Management

• stretching & strengthening exercises often leads to some improvement
• patellar knee sleeve worn during sporting activities may be helpful
• NSAIDs

More general terms

• syndrome
• joint disease; articular disease; arthropathy