Pain found at the knee joint can be a symptom of plica syndrome. Anatomically the plica is thin layer of vascular synovial tissue found within the joint line of the #knee. The plica is remnant tissue from the fetal stage of development that diminished in size, also known as a synovial fold. Due to the location of the plica, it can often be misdiagnosed with a meniscus tear, patellar tendinitis, or a stress fracture of the tibia.
The main function of the #plica is to provide glide of the knee joint. In a knee joint with previous swelling, the plica can become quiet irritated due to the synovial tissue and become inflamed. Those who have difficulty #running may have a restricted joint in the lower extremity, but a majority is due to poor biomechanics from a previous overuse injury of the soft tissue. The plica can be more prominent in some people than others, and is exposed when the knee is in the flexed position. The medial plica is found on the inside of the knee and is more commonly involved in joint irritation. In those patients who have had a few knee surgeries the quality of the plica tissue evolves and becomes thickened and more fibrotic causing it to be caught along the medial femoral condyle. The plica has an attachment to the genu articularis muscle and an indirect attachment to the quadriceps muscle. Therefore, plica irritation is more commonly found in those with weak #quadriceps muscles, tight #hamstrings- causing stress to the anterior knee, and have problems with joint muscle balance around the knee. Some may complain of pain with ascending/descending stairs, #squatting, bending, or getting up from a chair after sitting for an extended period of time. Symptoms of plica syndrome:
Pain dull and achy in at the medial knee joint, increase with activity
Catching or clicking of the knee upon flexion and extension
Swelling of the knee joint
Restricted motion
When observing the knee for motion, the patient may experience pain with #flexion and #extension, which is a good indicator that there is some sort of restriction in the soft tissue or in the joint. To fully diagnose a plica and the degree, a thorough patellofemoral exam must be done and in some cases imaging may be necessary. The choice of imaging for a plica is arthroscopy, due to the intraarticular location of the tissue. For palpation, the examiner should use the plantar surface of the fingers and roll them along the medial joint line, feeling for a fold in tissue, possible tenderness may be noted. Valgus and varus stress may be put on the joint to rule out any ligamentous injuries, and traction of the patella. Location and palpation of the bursae of the knee should also be identified to rule out any inflammation of those structures. Possible treatments for plica syndrome:
RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate)
Surgery based on the severity of the inflammation of the plica tissue
Lidocaine injections
Addressing the scar tissue formation
Stretching
Rehabilitative strengthening exercises
Addressing the scar tissue and rehabilitation of the knee is very important. Skipping out on #stretching can lead to further advanced conditions. A misconception that many runners have is, a tight muscle indicates a strong muscle- this is incorrect! Although a tight muscle can be strong, it is more common that the muscle is weak and spasming in hopes of remaining stable, but probably on the verge of an injury. Warm up of the quadriceps is important before beginning any strengthening protocol and should also be done with stretching of the hamstrings. An example of a hamstring stretch would be a simple sit and reach, without putting any strain on the low back.
Exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscles:
Squats
Straight leg raise
Leg press
Stationary bike
Approximately 4-6 weeks of treatment will be needed, depending on the severity of the injury, to decrease the #pain and strengthen the muscles.
At Lone Star Sport & Spine, we approach injuries in a conservative manner that will give the patient the most weighted benefits. Our providers are board certified chiropractors and certified in full body Active Release Technique. We examine the patient and determine the most efficient and quickest treatment plan for them. Our goal is not only to get the athlete back out on the field doing what they love to do, but to also enhance their athletic performance. We address the #scartissue that is built up from micro tears in the tissue due to overuse or previous injuries and develop a program to strengthen and train the muscles to be used functionally. Most all of our patients find results within a few treatments with decreased pain, and increased range of motion, strength, and balance. We then move into the second phase of treatment with strength and conditioning which is the most important aspect of the treatment, to prevent future injuries.
In summary, to address plica syndrome:
Address the scar tissue in primary involved muscle, and any associated muscle
Warm up and stretch the hamstring muscles
Strengthen and condition the direct and indirect muscles of the plica to prevent future injury (sport specific functional training)
Works Cited
Griffith, Chad J., and Robert F. LaPrade. "Abstract." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Nov. 2007. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684145/>.
Cluett, Jonathen, MD. "Plica Syndrome." About.com Orthopedics. About.com, 21 July 2008. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/otherinformation1/a/plica.htm>.
"Synovial Plica Syndrome." Synovial Plica Syndrome. N.p., 2011. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://www.osmsportsmed.com/OSM/Synovial_Plica_Syndrome.html>.
Nottage, Wesley M., MD, Norman F. Sprague, MD, Burt J. Auerbach, MD, and Hesmet Shahriaree, MD. "Plica Syndrome." Plica Syndrome. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 01 Sept. 1990. Web. 25 June 2013. <http://members.optushome.com.au/physio/plica.html>.