Synovial Plica (Patella Plica)

What is a Synovial Plica?

The knee joint is lubricated with a substance called synovial fluid. This fluid is surrounded by and produced by a sheath called the synovial sheath. The synovial plica is a synovial fold found along the inside border of the knee cap.

What are the symptomsof Synovial Plica?

• Variable sharp pain located anteriorly (front), medially (inside edge) or posteriorly (at the back) of the patella or kneecap.
• There may be sharp pain on squatting.
• The plica may sometimes feels like a thickened band under the inside of the patella.

What can be done to prevent Synovial Plica?

• A synovial or patella plica should be considered the main cause of pain only when the patient has failed to respond to treatment of patello femoral syndrome.
• A surgeon may perform an arthroscopy to look into the joint, identify a plica and remove it.