What is a Suprapatellar plica?

The suprapatellar plica, also referred to as the plica synovialis suprapatellaris, superior plica, supramedial plica, medial suprapatellar plica or septum is a domed, crescent shaped septum that generally lies between the suprapatellar bursa and the tibiofemoral joint of the knee.

What is patellar plica?

A plica is a fold in the thin tissue that lines your knee joint. Most people have four of them in each knee. They let you bend and move your leg with ease. One of the four folds, the medial plica, sometimes gets irritated from an injury or if you overuse your knee. This is known as plica syndrome.

Where is the Suprapatellar pouch?

The suprapatellar pouch is a large continuation of the synovial membrane of the knee joint proximal to the trochlea. Its proximal border is positioned approximately 4 cm proximal to the superior border of the patella, lying deep to the quadriceps tendon [1].

What is located in a plica?

The plica is a fold in the membrane surrounding your knee joint. Your knee joint is surrounded by a fluid-filled capsule called the synovial membrane. During the fetal stage you have three capsules, called the synovial plicae, that grow around the developing knee joint. These are usually absorbed before birth.

Does plica show up on MRI?

Diagnosis of symptomatic plicae is based on clinical findings. MRI can detect abnormal plicae, as well as other intra-articular pathology which may account for patient symptoms.

How do you know if you have plica syndrome?

People with plica syndrome may experience: Pain and tenderness to touch in the front of the knee, and on the inside of the kneecap. A “catching” or “snapping” sensation when bending the knee. Dull knee pain at rest, which increases with activity.

Does plica syndrome show on MRI?

Thick plicae often do show up on MRI scans, if you know what to look for and if you look carefully – although they can be missed by some people.

Can plica syndrome be seen on MRI?

What does Suprapatellar bursitis feel like?

Suprapatellar bursitis symptoms dull, achy pain or tenderness. swelling or redness. warmth. loss or reduction in motion.

What is Ballottement test?

The ballottement test also is known as the Patella tap test or the ballottement patella sign. Ballottement means “a tossing about.” and it was coined from a french word. The test is usually used to check for knee joint effusion.

How do you test for synovial plica syndrome?

Plica stutter test is carried out with the patient in sitting position and the two knees flexed freely over the side of a couch, the margins of the patella are palpated to detect any stutter as the knee is actively extended from the initial flexed position which usually occur in the mid-range of motion.

Can a plica band grow back?

Of note the plica may grow back after excision but is usually not symptomatic any longer. A plica is an embryonic remnant commonly present in the population. Normally it consists of a thin, vascular, pliable band of tissue that originates from the synovial wall and crosses the synovial joint.

Is there a relationship between plica and suprapatellar plica syndrome?

Suprapatellar plica classification and suprapatellar plica syndrome Although the results did not show any relationship between forms of plica remnants and primary disease type, all patients diagnosed with suprapatellar plica syndrome showed complete septum type suprapatellar plicae. A large population study is required in the future.

Where is the suprapatellar plica located on the knee?

Suprapatellar plica. The suprapatellar plica, also referred to as the plica synovialis suprapatellaris, superior plica, supramedial plica, medial suprapatellar plica or septum is a domed, crescent shaped septum that generally lies between the suprapatellar bursa and the tibiofemoral joint of the knee.

Which is a classification for infrapatellar plicae?

A classification for infrapatellar plicae can be as follows: Absent No synovial fold between the condyles of the femur. Separated A complete synovial fold that was separate from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Split Synovial fold that is separate from the ACL but is also divided into two or more cords.

What are the three types of synovial plica?

Three types of synovial plica are generally known; the suprapatellar plica, medial patellar plica, and infrapatellar plica. Several studies have been attempted to classify the plica, but the findings have been conflicting. There were classifications by arthroscopy [9,10].