Knee pain is often reported in runners and other athletes. Plica syndrome is characterized by the abnormal intra-articular band of thick, fibrotic tissue known as the plica, which results in pain and a popping sensation. The popping sensation is caused by the friction across the medial femoral condyle or the undersurface of the patella. This article covers the various treatment options for plica syndrome.
Plica is a normal mesenchymal structure which is a remnant of the septations resulting from various cavitations that coalesce to form the knee joint in utero. These septations begin to form by the 12th week of fetal life and continue to be present throughout. An abnormal plica is thick, fibrotic, and avascular cord-like structure as compared to the normally thin and vascular structure. The abnormal plica can result from a direct trauma to the knee joint or as a result of a repetitive…
