Bilateral Patella Cartilage Debridement and Exercise Rehabilitation for Chondromalacia and Plica Syndrome: A Case Report

A 41-year-old active (exercising >600 min per week) male without a surgical history complained of nine years of intermittent bilateral anterior knee pain after physical activity. He was diagnosed with bilateral chondromalacia (grade IV chondrosis) with plica syndrome, for which he underwent bilateral patella cartilage debridement with medial plica excision (additional removal of lateral retinaculum in the right knee). The patient then performed 12 weeks of an aggressive postoperative rehabilitation program. Each rehabilitation session consisted of disinhibitory modalities (sensory level of transcutaneous electrical stimulation and cryotherapy: focal knee joint cooling and cold-water immersion) and voluntary exercises (aerobic, resistance, and flexibility). During rehabilitation, pain perception, knee joint skin temperature and circumference, and functional outcome measures (Kujala anterior knee pain scale, International Knee Documentation Committee Score, and lower-extremity functional scale) were also recorded. While the patient’s pathology and surgical intervention were not extreme, progressions in the rehabilitation components and functional outcome measures in this clinical case could be used as a future reference for postoperative interventions. Additionally, surgery-induced inflammation seemed to last for four weeks.

RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF PLICA SYNDROME OF THE KNEE

ABSTRACT Objective: The synovial fold is an intra-articular structure found in more than 50% of the knees, which can cause symptoms similar to meniscal injuries. These symptoms are mostly related to hypertrophy of the synovial fold resulting from inadequate physical activity. Conservative treatment with readjustment of sports activity and muscle rebalancing solves most cases. Rare cases require surgical treatment, which is indicated due to the persistence of instability, blockage and pain. We present our experience in the treatment of this pathology. Methods: 58 patients (70 knees), with 62 knees treated conservatively and 8 treated surgically exclusively for the pathological synovial fold. Results: Description of the series and treatment results are reported. Conclusion: The non-surgical treatment of the pathological synovial fold of the knee provided good results within 60 days of rehabilitation program in almost 90% of the patients. Arthroscopic resection of the synovial fold is a surgery that has a longer and laborious rehabilitation period, despite good results in most cases. Level of Evidence IV, Case series.

An acquired plica-induced notch in the medial femoral condyle in a patient with medial patellar plica syndrome: a case report

Background An inflamed and thickened medial patellar plica (MPP) caused by repeated mechanical irritation from trauma or overuse leads to impingement between the anterior medial femoral condyle and the medial articular facet of the patella and produces pain or clicking, which is known as MPP syndrome. In patients with MPP syndrome, cartilage damage may occur depending on the shape of the MPP and the duration of the impingement. Case presentation Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in a 17-year-old male patient with MPP syndrome showed a hypertrophic MPP along with an abnormal notch in the articular surface of the medial femoral condyle. We considered that the impinged hypertrophic plica between the anterior medial femoral condyle and the medial articular facet of the patella resulted in cartilage damage on the articular surface of the medial femoral condyle. However, during arthroscopic surgery, we found that the cartilage of the notch, which was located beneath the MPP, was completely intact. We concluded that this abnormal notch had developed gradually in the MPP without cartilage damage. Conclusions Surgeons should be mindful that acquired plica-induced notches in the articular surface of the medial femoral condyle can present in patients with MPP syndrome.

Synovial plica of the elbow and its clinical relevance

A synovial plica (fold) is normal anatomic finding, and occurs in 86–100% of cases; however, symptomatic plica is much less common (7.2–8.7% of all elbow arthroscopies). Synovial plica syndrome is a painful elbow condition related to symptomatic synovial plica. Synovial plica syndrome is diagnosed by clinical examination (lateral elbow pain) commonly accompanied by local tenderness, pain at terminal extension and/or painful snapping. Synovial plica syndrome may be mimicked by other elbow conditions, commonly tennis elbow, loose bodies, and degenerative arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound scan may support diagnosis in correlation with clinical findings, but symptomatic plica may also be diagnosed as unexpected during elbow arthroscopy. The arthroscopic resection is effective and safe if conservative treatment fails. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:549-557. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200027