Welcome to Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic's patient resource about Plica Syndrome.
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. The diagnosis can sometimes be difficult, but if this is the source of your knee pain, it can be easily treated.
This article will help you better understand:
what a plica is
how plica syndrome can cause problems
what doctors can do to treat the condition
Hear from some of our patients who we treated for Knee Pain
“
I am having a very pleasant experience at Cambie Physiotherapy Clinic . Mr. Tarunbeer Kang, my physiotherapist, is extremely professional and knowledgeable! He helped me to understand my injury and... ”
“ I am having a very pleasant experience at Cambie Physiotherapy Clinic . Mr. Tarunbeer Kang, my physiotherapist, is extremely professional and knowledgeable! He helped me to understand my injury and provided best care. Also, he could constantly adjust the treatment plan based on the condition of my injured knee and leg. Now my leg and knee feel much better.
Besides, Ms. Amanjot and Ms.Amandeep and other staffs in the clinic are very nice and friendly. They are always ready for my appointments, greet warmly to the clients, and help me do the physiotherapy.
I would highly recommend. ”
“
I have a car accident resulted in lots of knee pain and can't bend my knee joints. I came to cambie physio, luckily I met Hardeep Mann, she figured out I have arthritis and plantar femoral syndrome... ”
“ I have a car accident resulted in lots of knee pain and can't bend my knee joints. I came to cambie physio, luckily I met Hardeep Mann, she figured out I have arthritis and plantar femoral syndrome right away and start treating me right away, I recover quickly and able to move around freely without pain. I am a nure and I have experience working with trauma patients before. I can tell Hardeep is very knowledgeable and patience, she helps me to go through this difficult time. The office ladies are very helpful for set up appointments and arranging the right person to see me. I will highly recommend this place and see Hardeep ”
“
This clinic has been amazing in helping my knee recover from some muscle issues. After a few weeks I was able to start making proper use of it again in BJJ. I will continue using this clinic in the... ”
“ This clinic has been amazing in helping my knee recover from some muscle issues. After a few weeks I was able to start making proper use of it again in BJJ. I will continue using this clinic in the future should I have any further injuries
I highly recommend coming here if you need physio. The staff and therapy are top notch! ”
“
Dr. Tarunbeer Kangaroo is very patient and nice person. He takes care of your issue and try his best to help you out. I got a knee pain recently, and after few session, I feel much more better. The... ”
“ Dr. Tarunbeer Kangaroo is very patient and nice person. He takes care of your issue and try his best to help you out. I got a knee pain recently, and after few session, I feel much more better. The place is also easy to access as well. ”
“
INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of... ”
“ INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of physios and Doctors and no one could help me, but when I got here physio Hardep Kaur told me she will do everything to help me with my knee, and she explained everything to me about the treatment and procedures because she want it to help me to go back to my activity which is being a professional badminton player, We start with shock wave therapy and manual treatment, after 6 sessions I am almost pain free and my knee feeling amazing good I started doing my activity a couple of days ago and I can only say THANK YOU for everything because I’m Feeling incredible good with no pain patients and doing what I love again without pain thanks to Cambie Physiotherapy at no5 road and thanks to my physio Hardeep kaur for helping me and being so nice to me,taking care of my health and being incredible human caring about the patients, now cambie physiotherapy and Hardeep Kaur Mann will be my place forever Thanks you so much ”
“
INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of... ”
“ INCREDIBLE! I got there with a lot of pain in my knee due a calcification and tendinopathy in the Patelar tendon in the left knee, was struggling for over a year with the injury visited lots of physios and Doctors and no one could help me, but when I got here physio Hardep Kaur told me she will do everything to help me with my knee, and she explained everything to me about the treatment and procedures because she want it to help me to go back to my activity which is being a professional badminton player,
We start with shock wave therapy and manual treatment, after 6 sessions I am almost pain free and my knee feeling amazing good I started doing my activity a couple of days ago and I can only say THANK YOU for everything because I’m
Feeling incredible good with no pain patients and doing what I love again without pain thanks to Cambie Physiotherapy at no5 road and thanks to my physio Hardeep kaur for helping me and being so nice to me,taking care of my health and being incredible human caring about the patients, now cambie physiotherapy and Hardeep Kaur Mann will be my place forever
Thanks you so much ”
“
Friendly staff!! injured my knee and they’ve helped a lot!!! very knowledgeable. I’ve been seeing Tarunbeer Kang and he’s very helpful and professional!!! 100% recommend ”
“ Friendly staff!! injured my knee and they’ve helped a lot!!! very knowledgeable. I’ve been seeing Tarunbeer Kang and he’s very helpful and professional!!! 100% recommend ”
“
I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks. Very professional and friendly staff. Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very... ”
“ I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks. Very professional and friendly staff. Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very helpful Aman made me feel comfortable during treatments. Direct billing is very convenient.. Very flexible hours. My knee injury is getting much better. Thank you! ”
“
I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks.
Very professional and friendly staff.
Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very... ”
“ I have been visiting the clinic, Richmond location, for the last few weeks.
Very professional and friendly staff.
Dr. Tarunbeer Kang is very knowledgeable and competent. His recommendations was very helpful
Aman made me feel comfortable during treatments.
Direct billing is very convenient..
Very flexible hours.
My knee injury is getting much better.
Thank you! ”
“
Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
“ Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
“
If you are in any sort of joint pain, NAVJOT is the person to go to. I have had a bad knee pain for the past 3 years and few visits, exercise and correct treatment later I am literally out of pain.... ”
“ If you are in any sort of joint pain, NAVJOT is the person to go to. I have had a bad knee pain for the past 3 years and few visits, exercise and correct treatment later I am literally out of pain. Reasonable charge and in-depth knowledge. Navjot had a perfect plan for my recovery and perfect assessment of my pain. Thank you Navjot :) One of the best physiotherapist I met! ”
“
Great service all around. Tarunbeer Kang really takes the time to listens and suggests everything that might help with great expertise. My knee injury is recovering well ”
“ Great service all around. Tarunbeer Kang really takes the time to listens and suggests everything that might help with great expertise. My knee injury is recovering well ”
“
Excellent clinic. Very professional and friendly staff from minute one. My physiotherapist Hardeep was attentive and I felt safe trusting his guidance. Asked lots of questions and did through testing... ”
“ Excellent clinic. Very professional and friendly staff from minute one. My physiotherapist Hardeep was attentive and I felt safe trusting his guidance. Asked lots of questions and did through testing paid attention to my answers and questions. My LCL knee problem has been getting better now. I recommend this Physio clinic. ”
“
Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain
The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
“ Tarunbeer and his team are very knowledgeable, friendly people and Tarunbeer helped me in easing my knee pain
The place is very clean with easy access and plenty of parking and have extended hours ”
Plica is a term used to describe a fold in the lining of the knee joint. Imagine the inner lining of the knee joint as nothing more than a sleeve of tissue. This sleeve of tissue is made up of synovial tissue, a thin, slippery material that lines all joints. 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.
Four plica synovial folds are found in the knee, but only one seems to cause trouble. This structure is called the medial plica. 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. Most of us (50 to 70 percent) have a medial plica, and it doesn't cause any problems.
A plica causes problems when it is irritated. This can occur over a long period of time, such as when the plica is irritated by certain exercises, repetitive motions, or kneeling.
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.
Injury to the plica can also happen suddenly, such as when the knee is struck in the area around the medial plica.
This can occur from a fall or even from hitting the knee on the dashboard during an automobile accident.
This injury to the knee can cause the plica, and the synovial tissue around the plica, to swell and become painful.
The initial injury may lead to scarring and thickening of the plica tissue later.
The thickened, scarred plica fold may be more likely to cause problems later.
Symptoms
What does plica syndrome feel like?
The primary symptom caused by plica syndrome is pain. There may also be a snapping sensation along the inside of the knee as the knee is bent. This is due to the rubbing of the thickened plica over the round edge of the thighbone where it enters the joint. This usually causes the plica to be tender to the touch. In thin people, the tissue that forms the plica may be actually be felt as a tender band underneath the skin. In rare cases where the plica has become severely irritated, the knee may become swollen.
Snapping Sensation
Diagnosis
When you visit Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, we will begin your diagnosis with a history and physical exam. The examination is used to try and determine where the pain is located and whether or not the band of tissue can be felt.
Some patients may be referred to a doctor for further diagnosis. Once your diagnostic examination is complete, the physiotherapists at Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic have treatment options that will help speed your recovery, so that you can more quickly return to your active lifestyle.
Our Treatment
What can be done for plica syndrome?
The majority of people with plica syndrome will get better without surgery. The primary goal when treating the plica is to reduce the inflammation. This may require limiting activities like running, biking, or using a stair-climbing machine.
Non-surgical Rehabilitation
When you begin physiotherapy at Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, we may first suggest anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce the inflammation. Our physiotherapist may also use ice packs or ice massage to help reduce the inflammation and swelling in the area of the plica. Ice massage is easy and effective. Simply freeze water in a paper cup. When needed, tear off the top inch, exposing the ice. Rub three to five minutes around the sore area until it feels numb.
Additionally, we may apply treatments such as ultrasound and friction massage to calm inflammation in the plica. Our therapy sessions sometimes include iontophoresis, which uses a mild electrical current to push anti-inflammatory medicine to the sore area. This treatment is especially helpful for patients who can't tolerate injections.
Once the inflammation is reduced, our physiotherapist will begin treatments involving stretching and strengthening exercises for the leg.
Although the time required for recovery varies, if your treatment is nonsurgical, you should be able to return to normal activity within four to six weeks.
Post-surgical Rehabilitation
When you begin post-surgical physiotherapy, our first few rehabilitation sessions will be designed to ease pain and swelling and help you begin gentle knee motion and thigh tightening exercises. Patients rarely need to use crutches after this kind of surgery.
As our program evolves, our therapist will choose more challenging exercises. Patients do closed chain exercises by keeping their foot on a surface while working the knee joint. These exercises mimic familiar activities like squatting down, lunging forward, and going up or down steps. These exercises help keep pressure off the kneecap while getting a challenging workout for the leg muscles. Our physiotherapist will work with you to make sure you are not having extra pain in your knee during the exercises. We may also have you do stretches for the soft tissues along the edge of the kneecap as well as flexibility exercises for the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles.
At Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, our goal is to help you keep your pain under control, increase the strength of your quadriceps muscles, and maximize the range of motion in your knee. When your recovery is well under way, regular visits to our office will end. Although we will continue to be a resource, you will be in charge of doing your exercises as part of an ongoing home program.
Cambie Physiotherapy and Health Clinic provides services for physiotherapy in Richmond.
Surgery
If all nonsurgical attempts to reduce your symptoms fail, surgery may be suggested. Usually, an arthroscope (mentioned earlier) is used to remove the plica. The small TV camera is inserted into the knee joint through one-quarter inch incisions. Once the plica is located with the arthroscope, small instruments are inserted through another one-quarter inch incision to cut away the plica tissue and remove the structure. The area where the plica is removed heals back with scar tissue. There are no known problems associated with not having a plica, so you won't miss it.
A plica causes problems when it is irritated. This can occur over a long period of time, such as when the plica is irritated by certain exercises, repetitive motions, or kneeling.
