Knee Pain : Plica Syndrome

Plica Syndrome is not as well known by the public as an ACL tear, or a meniscus injury, but it is still very interesting. You should read on...

Plica Syndrome, is often called "synovial plica syndrome". This is a condition that occurs when there are remnants of fetal tissue in the knee. The synovial plica are membraces that serve to seperate the knee into different compartments during fetal development.

Normally, these plica dimish in size during the second trimetster of fetal development. When seen in adults, these "plica" have evolved and exist as sleeves of tissue which people refer to as "synovial folds", otherwise known as plica. As with life, not everyone is affected equally. In other words, some individuals are more prone and the synovial plica syndrome is more prominent.

You may be asking yourself : What is the plica syndrome of the knee?

The most commonly irriteated or injured plica are located on the inner aspect of your knee. These plica are referred to as the "medial plica" This plica can be injured due to overuse, or when it is exposed to direct injury. When the plica do become inflamed or irritated, the condition is called "plica syndrome" occurs.

How is plica syndrome diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made by physical examination or at the time of arthroscopic surgery. Plica syndrome has similar characteristics to meniscal tears and patellar tendonitis, and these may be confused. A MRI may be done, but it is often not terribly helpful in the diagnosis of plica syndrome.

Ok, so you kind of know what Plica Syndrome is now, but you are wondering, "How is it treated?"

Typically, plica syndrome is treated by resting the knee joint and using medicines that help treat inflammation. Usually this is what is needed to allow the knee pain to subside. Otherwise, cortisone injections can help.

As a last resort, the plica may be removed with surgery. Arthroscopy is used to removed the inflamed tissue, usually tendering good results.
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Although this is a knee brace blog that illustrates the benefits and support a knee brace can provide, Synovial Plica Syndrome is not usually a knee problem treated with the use of a knee brace. If instead, you have injured your knee and are looking for a football knee brace, a basketball knee brace, or a running knee brace the knee pain relief that these knee supports can provide can be extremely useful. A sports knee brace can be very helpful, but we will be honest....Plica syndrome is not usually benefited by a knee brace unless you need to stop a painful movement that a knee brace can help you prevent.

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