Suprapatellar plica syndrome of the knee: literature review and case report

Clin Osteol 2022; 27(2-3): 69-73

Suprapatellar plica syndrome of the knee: literature review and case reportCase reports

Butarbutar Christian Parsaoran John; Elson Elson; Irvan Irvan: Lippo Village, Tangerang, Indonesia; Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Pelita Harapan, Siloam Hospitals

Introduction: The plica is a residual septum that divides the knee into three compartments: supra, medial, and lateral. Although anatomically suprapatellar plica of the knee is common, it rarely causes symptoms. Thickening of suprapatellar plica may present as anterior knee pain with or without mechanical symptoms. The suprapatellar plica may be a cause to be missed as a cause to look for anterior knee pain.

Case Presentation: 33-years-old woman presented with recurring anterior knee pain. A non-specific patellofemoral pain was concluded as initial diagnosis, but conservative treatment failed to relieve the pain. During exploratory arthroscopic examination, a shallow suprapatellar cavity with folded synovium with central perforation was found. Plica excision was done with no complication. After 10 days, the patient has significant improvement and after one month the patient walked uneventfully.

Conclusion: Suprapatellar plica is the most common arthroscopic findings compared to other type of plica. Because the presence of suprapatellar plica does not always depict suprapatellar plica syndrome, it is a cause to be looked for during arthroscopy on anterior knee pain. The complete type of it, especially without perforation, appears only as shallow suprapatellar cavity, that the surgeon should be aware of.

Published: December 11, 2022 Show citation

Parsaoran John BC, Elson E, Irvan I. Suprapatellar plica syndrome of the knee: literature review and case report. Clinical Osteology. 2022;27(2-3):69-73.

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