This can occur from a fall or even from hitting the knee on the dashboard during an automobile accident. Injury to the plica can also happen suddenly, such as when the knee is struck in the area around the medial plica. Activities that repeatedly bend and straighten the knee, such as running, biking, or use of a stair-climbing machine, can irritate the medial plica and cause plica syndrome.

This can occur over a long period of time, such as when the plica is irritated by certain exercises, repetitive motions, or kneeling. How does a plica cause problems in the knee?Ī plica causes problems when it is irritated. Related Document: A Patient’s Guide to Knee Anatomy Causes Most of us (50 to 70 percent) have a medial plica, and it doesn’t cause any problems. The medial plica attaches to the lower end of the patella (kneecap) and runs sideways to attach to the lower end of the thighbone at the side of the knee joint closest to the other knee. This structure is called the medial plica. Just as a tailor leaves extra folds of material at the back of sleeves on a shirt to allow for unrestricted motion of the arms, the synovial sleeve of tissue has folds of material that allow movement of the bones of the joint without restriction.įour plica synovial folds are found in the knee, but only one seems to cause trouble.

This sleeve of tissue is made up of synovial tissue, a thin, slippery material that lines all joints. Imagine the inner lining of the knee joint as nothing more than a sleeve of tissue. Plica is a term used to describe a fold in the lining of the knee joint.

what doctors can do to treat the condition.

This guide will help you better understand The diagnosis can sometimes be difficult, but if this is the source of your knee pain, it can be easily treated. Plica syndrome is an interesting problem that occurs when an otherwise normal structure in the knee becomes a source of knee pain due to injury or overuse.

Medial pica syndrome