Anyone on here had it before? If so, what was the most painful thing for you to do?? I have been having knee pain for 6 months, have been to two physical therapists and one orthopedic surgeon, and no one has mentioned it… but it seems to fit my symptoms, and the other diagnostic considerations seem less likely (Patellofemoral Syndrome, quadriceps tendonitis)… thanks for any input!
I have/had it diagnosed on me. It would bother me running when it became inflamed. I would start on a run and feel fine and then at some point (usually right about 20-30min into a run) would get stabbing pain that made it almost impossible to keep running. Basically, a few weeks off running combined with a little stretching, PT and anti-inflam seemed to take care of it. From there, I just tried to build my running load gradually (it seemed to start after completing my first marathon where I definitely stretch the volume relative to my base) and have not had much/any trouble with it since.
But, as with most injuries, self-diagnosis by internet is probably not the best idea (I assumed it was IT band-related for a month or more before going to see someone). I’d suggest you go see a sports-med doc if you can’t seem to control the issue yourself with RICE-type treatment.
Had it for 2 years. No one could diagnose it, even with MRIs, etc… Most doctors either don’t know about it, or just don’t look for it. I thought I’d never run again. It felt like a tightness on the medial side of my kneecap, and it’d progress to a sharp pain with extended activity.
Then I saw an athletic trainer I knew from my undergrad days. He diagnosed it in 5 minutes. Went back, told a surgeon the diagnosis. He took out the plica in my right knee, and haven’t had a bit of pain since then. It’s a very simple surgery with a short recovery time.
Had it for 2 years. No one could diagnose it, even with MRIs, etc… Most doctors either don’t know about it, or just don’t look for it. I thought I’d never run again. It felt like a tightness on the medial side of my kneecap, and it’d progress to a sharp pain with extended activity.
Then I saw an athletic trainer I knew from my undergrad days. He diagnosed it in 5 minutes. Went back, told a surgeon the diagnosis. He took out the plica in my right knee, and haven’t had a bit of pain since then. It’s a very simple surgery with a short recovery time.
Thanks for the input… Did you have a lot of pain when in the seated position, like when driving a car?
If I sat for an extended time (>10 minutes) with bent legs, then yes, there was definitely tightness
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Anyone on here had it before? If so, what was the most painful thing for you to do?? I have been having knee pain for 6 months, have been to two physical therapists and one orthopedic surgeon, and no one has mentioned it… but it seems to fit my symptoms, and the other diagnostic considerations seem less likely (Patellofemoral Syndrome, quadriceps tendonitis)… thanks for any input!
Just to give an added differential diagnosis based strictly on location Pes Anserine Tendiopathy? The medial Plica varies greatly in individuals to the point where some literature will actually say that some people do not have one.
I had it several years ago. Would start running and after 10 minutes the pain would be so sharp I would have to walk. I had it scoped and was back to running in a couple of weeks. My surgeon said the plica was like the appendix. Doesn’t really do anything, but when it gives you trouble you have to take it out.
The trainer I saw said the same thing - he estimated that in about 50% of people, the medial plica disappears on it’s own after childhood. From what I understand, it serves some purpose during early development, but serves no purpose in adults.
I have one in my left knee. It was inflamed last summer but calmed down with time off (due to a bike crash) and ice. It just started to bug me again recently, i think it got irritated due to doing some squats and lower body ST? It hurts more at night than any other time. In any case, if it remains inflamed, i will likely have it removed.