What is Plika?
It is found in the natural structure of the knee, its medical name is "medial plica-meniscofemoral ligament", shortly referred to as plica. It is a structure like a skirt pleat on the inner front of the knee joint, passing under the kneecap and ending in the capsule higher. It is a structure that normally cleans the joint surface like a soft tulle like a squeegee and supports it during loading.
Plika; Sprain of the knee, excessive stair climbing, squatting, running, cycling, repetitive overloading squats, and during heavy loads. After the injury, the knee swells, there is pain for a while and it heals.
However, after its healing, a new scar tissue, which we call hard fibrotic, is formed.
The contact of this hard tissue with the joint surface causes the cartilage to wear over time, even in daily life, and the groove-like collapses on the joint surface it touches. While the kneecap starts to wear due to this hard structure, the irregularity on the opposite joint surface starts to give pain over time.
Killer of the Knee Joint, Hidden Enemy: What is the Plica?
Patients with Plica syndrome experience pain when climbing stairs, cannot sit for a long time by bending their knees, and want to stretch their legs in places such as cinema or restaurants. When they drive for a long time, it is typical for them to limp off the vehicle, and cross-legged is painful.
Most of the time, it is examined with the diagnosis of meniscus tear, after the tests are found to be normal, the pain is reduced with medications, but the Plika problem continues.
In reality the situation is more grave and dangerous. During advanced examination methods such as plica and MRI, the diagnosis may be missed, especially if it is not taken into sections. The best diagnosis can be made during the examination. In case of delay, it is inevitable that it will cause deep cartilage losses and permanent disability as a result of abrasions on the articular cartilage surfaces.
Plica syndrome Treatment is possible with arthroscopic methods. If possible, devices that cause little bleeding, such as radiofrequency, should be used without damaging other anatomical structures so that they are completely removed.
In the same session, if there are cartilage problems caused by the plica, meniscus irregularities are also resolved. After a day of rest, it can be returned to daily life and it is recommended to stay away from heavy activities for 10-20 days.