Plica syndrome: Signs, symptoms and treatment of this uncomfortable knee pain

[@DrDavidGeier]

If you have questions about the injuries or treatments mentioned in this video, or about a sports or exercise injury, subscribe to my channel and click the bell to be notified of my Better Than Ever LIVE! streams, including an Ask Dr. Geier live show I do most Fridays at 12:00 PM ET.

[@marcowendler2975]

alrighty - thanks for your response :-)

[@SD-jk6sf]

Hello

[@SD-jk6sf]

Just want consultant about my relatives knee injury

[@AbdulQadir-kj2ni]

Sir thanks for making this video . Sir I have a question my question is that my hair going to be white totally . what is treatment of this disease tell me any hair which my hair again black or any hair shampoo or any syrup . thanks sir

[@Justhere77]

Can Covid cause inflammation to this area? Recovered from Covid and know have extremely bad pain in this area. Zero traumatic event occurred to injure this area. Symptoms started one week after Covid test was positive. Now one month out and pain is getting worse

[@mimiaustin8136]

It took me almost a year to know that what I have is plica syndrome. I went 11 month ago to one of the best orthopedist. Neither the X-ray nor the MRI showed anything, the doctor didn’t give any diagnosis and send me to a therapist. Your video completely describe my symptoms. Now I know what has caused my kne swelling and pain. Than you.

[@madlenj.4644]

so did you end up getting an op or have you done sport (what kind of)?

[@thevolleyballstar23]

I've had knee pain for pretty much as long as I can remember growing up and started going to physical therapy for it in 7th grade, all the way up to my senior year of high school. I never really got it checked out because I was playing volleyball at that time at a high level and didn't want to risk not being able to play. Now I'm not able to play for various other orthopedic reasons so I finally went and got it checked out and now I'm scheduled to have double knee surgery in just under a month. I'm a junior in college now studying Exercise Science and looking to get my Master's in Athletic Training and I think it's about time I feel relief because even crossing my legs sitting in class causes pain and it's not the quality of life I feel as though I deserve as a 20 year old.

[@familyfree2994]

Good luck on your new knees

[@jerriblank5690]

nobody deserves that life ......doing both knees simultaneously is very difficult good luck

[@thevolleyballstar23]

@@jerriblank5690 Thank you for your kind words. I'm almost 3 years post-op and no longer experience the pain I used to! I do however experience aches and pain when a storm is coming or if I've been outside for an extended period of time in cold weather. All-in-all, it's discomfort I am willing to go through when I can experience my life pain-free for the majority of the time.

[@paulom.5044]

What was your diagnosis?

[@chansullivan2315]

I completely understand this!! I’ve had bilateral patellar tendonopathy since 5th grade- ACL/meniscus in college soccer and now have pain in both knees (still). I totally get the crossing legs hurting! And I too got my degree in exercise science and am NOW getting my masters in athletic training!

[@minaphan1108]

I had a plica surgery. It was years of aggressive activity that caused it to inflamed. All summer, everyone thought it was a meniscus tear. In the MRI, it looked like a meniscus tear, too. Until surgery. Then my orthopedist saw my plica had folded itself under my knee cap, which was why it looked like a meniscus tear on the MRI. Doing anything on my feet was painful. Vibrations from driving, standing, walking, being in the cold-it hurt to do any activity. After surgery, it took at least 4 months for the swelling to permanently go away, and at least 6 months for most of the pain to go away. I was in PT for 2+ months, but admittedly, I was a bad patient and didn’t do my exercises at home. A year and a half later, the only pain I feel is while running or right before the climate changes, but even then, both instances are only aches.

[@mimiegwapa3685]

How much does a plica surgery costs?

[@S2000guy]

same story as you, just went in for surgery for a meniscus tear 3 days ago....turns out meniscus was intact and it was a plica causing the issue. Had it removed and on the road to recovery

[@pamwilson9169]

Had surgery today for two meniscus tears. Plica didn’t show up on MRI but surgeon found it while cleaning up my tears. I am 62 yrs old and never knew I had plica. Thanks for your video. Was very informative.

[@mimiegwapa3685]

How much do your surgeries cost?

[@csadler6503]

I had a knee pain in my left knee that caused me lots of discomfort and pain when a bent it 90 degrees. I had a Meniscus repair about 2 months earlier and the doctor had a look all around my knee after words. He saw the my Plica was bigger than normal so shaved it of. After 6 weeks i went back for him to see how i recover and i told him about the pain and discomfort i experienced in my inside knee. He send me for a ultrasound to see what was in there that made that clicking and jumping thing in my knee. He said afterwards i need surgery to remove what ever was in there. After my op that was 2 weeks ago he said it was my Plica that caused the pain and discomfort. My knee was swollen and sensitive but didn't crutches amd was walking normal in 2-3 days. I have to see the doctor in 6 weeks and hope everything will be OK . Thanks for this information to help me understand so much more what it was and what they would have done to help me.

[@carriejohnson1558]

Any update on how you're feeling after having your plica removed?

[@CindyGrapperhaus]

I knew this is what I had all along. I finally found a doctor who agreed. My pain has not been from a torn meniscus, arthritis bursitis or tendinitis. When this pain first started I recognized it immediately because it had it before. But because the MRI showed a little arthritis and a small meniscus tear, the first 2 doctors were thinking the pain was a combination of those 2 things, so my physical therapist was treating me accordingly. What a waste of time and money. Now that I am properly diagnosed maybe I will finally get rid of the pain for good.

[@tori44444]

Hi Cindy - were you able to cure your Plica syndrome? If so, would you please share what you did that made it better? I've tried exercises, stretching, icing, etc. and it's still bugging me after several months, so I must be missing something. Thanks!

[@hannahsmith8334]

I’ve had knee pain for 7 months and finally got diagnosed with a plica last week. I’m going in for Surgery this Friday. The pain and swelling with this condition have been insane so I’m hopeful this can get rid of the pain so I can dance again. I’ve tried PT, cortisone, rest and ice and nothing has worked. Pretty excited to get this fixed so hopefully this is the true cause of my pain

[@erinkunkel668]

Hi Hannah, How did the surgery go?

[@Sestenise]

How did it go?

[@hannahsmith8334]

The plica was removed successfully and my pain was gone instantly. I would definitely recommend undergoing this surgery to anyone who has had chronic knee pain from a plica. It was super easy and recovery was fast. It’s been 2 months since surgery and I’m already back to doing full activity.

[@Sestenise]

Hannah Rae Thanks for replying. Congrats for you, good to hear that! I'm trying the way doing exercises. And if it doesn't make you disturbed, can i ask your old?

[@greeny7964]

I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and im in constant pain. They are doing physical therapy and medicine and it always hurts.

[@catherineoduber1187]

Abruptly I started getting so much pain I couldn't walk. they thought it was my meniscus, therapy made it worse. when operated, the dr found out I had severe plica, he just cut the plica a bit open he didn't take it away...I'm now painfree thank God. this all happened from july till October 2017

[@DrDavidGeier]

+Catherine Oduber That’s great to hear you’re better!

[@catherineoduber1187]

Dr. David Geier for sure!! The pain waa unbearable

[@thankyouforyourcompliance7386]

Good for you. They also cut my plica some years ago and it got worse so I had another operation in which they removed it totally. Due to a severe scar my knee got worse after the first operation...now I have my cartilage damaged...

[@Jess1234]

How do you feel 3 yrs later

[@tamalaursa]

Having a plica surgery in a few months. I can't kneel without feeling the amount of pain that makes me cry. I can't stretch in the morning and sleep with my foot totally stretched out. With the amount of pain and discomfort that I have right now, I can't wait for the surgery and just feel normal and walk normal.

[@DrDavidGeier]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

[@x3rx35]

How does it go, Tamalaursa?

[@bellamelendez878]

I had to go to 3 different doctors to figure out why my knee was hurting after the second mri I got told I have plica the doctor said give her Cortizone Shots bc I had a sprained mcl an was walking 20,000 steps a day. The pain never got better I was crying why knee felt bruised it was horrible. I then saw another doctor said impossible on the way u hurt it go to 6 weeks of pt your just weak. Did 3 weeks of pt an my knee swelled like size of a baseball then went to another doctor an she said let’s get a 3t mri it showed plica again. I got told I had the shots I’ve done pt so now sugrey. I’m so grateful for my doctor now someone finally listened. I’ve been dealing with this pain ever since middle school an has been getting worse. I love hiking an being active an I just can’t now without being in pain or having my knee swell up. I have sugrey in a month an I’m beyond excited

[@ellesty13]

I had a meniscal contusion resulting from a compressive force in the knee, caused by a recovery from a near fall in ski racing. Initial diagnosis was the contusion, but after the recovery time had passed, I was experiencing discomfort in the joint and an awful snapping noise / sensation, particularly when extending the knee after flexion e.g cycling. No one could diagnose it. I reached out to a knee surgeon I knew because I knew something was wrong. He suggested it was plica syndrome and I agreed to surgery. He found 2 in there and removed both. I recovered quickly and had no problems since.

[@jakubvitek4375]

How long did it take you to fully return into sport? I´ve had the same experience, i am 5 weeks after surgery now and it isn´t there yet but it´s getting better

[@sateshjarod]

I'm a physiotherapists from Malaysia. Most of our orthopaedic specialists will refer these patients for physiotherapy. You get very rare cases where the doctor perform a knee arthroscopic procedure

[@wibisono2799]

Betul ke? Lalu macam mana keadaan pasien after fisioterapi? Sembuhkah tanpa operasi?

[@amyzehnershinkus4457]

Played D1 college basketball, never had knee problems in the past- aside from some patellar tendinitis. About 5 months ago I had a ripping/tearing sensation in my knee while running a mud run. My knee never recovered correctly. I had severe pain with activity and the night pain was intense. I had an MRI which showed edema, but no meniscus pathology. Anti inflammatories and ice did very little for the pain. I had a cortisone shot, which worked well for ~4 weeks. In that time, my knee still felt unstable (maybe it was the knee cap). It just felt like something was wrong. After the cortisone shot wore off I again saw my Orthopaedic surgeon and he suggested an arthroscopy. Surgeon said my meniscus and acl looked really good and healthy, but that my plica was stuck inside my joint and likely causing me a lot of pain. He said it was the largest and ugliest plica he’s ever removed. I’m post-op day 3 and I feel relatively good. Some bruising and swelling, but could always be worse!

[@jaynap1970]

How has your recovery been so far. My Granddaughter is a softball player and is having the procedure done next week.

[@amyzehnershinkus4457]

Jay Napoletano I am currently about 4 weeks post-op. I have already been playing 50% intensity during pick up basketball games. I have had a really great recovery thus far. I was walking without crutches approximately 3-4 days after the procedure. My advice would be to keep moving it. The more you can work that swelling out, the better. It’s amazing how much better my knee feels already. I didn’t realize how much pain I was really living with until now!

[@fakedat9233]

Amy Michelle you back on your feet?

[@amyzehnershinkus4457]

BlazenBanana yes! I feel pretty good 6.5 weeks out. MCL still bothers me a little, but that’s only bc they had to tear a piece of that during surgery to get into my posterior knee. I’ve been running and playing b-ball for about 2 weeks now!

[@fakedat9233]

Amy Zehner bruh I just got my mri results I tore a meniscus rip

[@sovka8394]

I had my healthy legs adjusted by a chiropractor, which resulted in plica syndrome in both of my knees. He also caused hip and neck pain, which I didn’t have before! I'm now 3 days post-op after a plica operation on one knee. Please keep your fingers crossed for me, and I avoid chiropractors!

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

After dealing with knee swelling for over 15 years and after having had a severe swelling episode for more than six months, I finally was diagnosed with plica syndrome. Plica makes so much sense! Hopefully surgery will finally fix it.

[@Built_By_Bacon]

Getting surgery in 10 days... couldn’t be more excited for a surgery.

[@MrGuerricha]

Hey Baco, How's your knee situation after 2 months post surgery? Hopefully all is well.

[@fcblulu2]

Getting it on Wednesday...I hope it will be okay after surgery

[@RIstateOfMind]

Any updates?

[@xpaxk]

I was told try size is hereditary & mine were large! At 14 I got to the point I couldn't walk. 😢Gen they finally took me as legit. Surgery solved it & now 30 years later, things are still great!

[@kanebasi7343]

I'm post op 7 weeks on my right knee and 3 weeks on my left knee. The original pain I had has not been felt in either knee. The first knee is coming along. There's still swelling only around the portal sites on it. I have read those can take a long time to fully heal. I expect they should be normal by the 4 month mark based on my readings. I have had some popping and catching sensations since the surgery from scar tissue in different areas but they eventually went away in the right knee should be the same in the left knee. Second knee coming along well as well. There's still pain in both knees from the surgery. I expect that to go on for a few months longer. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the surgery so far. I'll update once I'm 100% better. Feel free to ask question if you want to below. I will answer them since people on here were so kind to answer some of my questions and help me feel better when I was preparing for the surgery. I was very nervous about doing it at one point. Don't be afraid and don't lose hope!

[@narco8300]

Kane Basi this just happened and it randomly happened on a Monday when I was walking down stairs, I felt some knee pain in both knees. I shrugged it off and went to Fitness. I ended up running a mile and every day since then my knees get worse. It’s a pulsing pain in both knees when I move my legs. If you got any suggestions please lmk

[@jaredvalles5665]

I also have it in both knees.. so you were able to get them both done a month apart.. that’s great that’s what I wanna push for.. how’s your recovery? And how’s the pain

[@brittneyrussell1766]

How are you now?

[@andreajansenvanvuuren3598]

I had discomfort especiallyn in left knee X-Rays showed nothing wrong Went today for athroscopy.. the plica's werre thickened and harderned and had been removed.. I am pleased and happy to hear that with good aftercare.. I can do sports again. After all my knees are in good condition as wel as my cartilidge. THANK YOU.. Take care

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@roxanfoster]

I had plica for 1 year without knowing. I’m an athlete so I’d go to the trainers and do rehab, but that’s about it. After a year without no improvement with rehab I changed trainers and I was taken to see a doctor. Just by explaining my symptoms which include pain with flexion and annoying snapping/clicking sound the doctor was able to tell me that it was plica. I got injected with cortisone and about 1 month after I was pain free. The annoying snapping sound is still there but thank God it doesn’t hurt.

[@PrettyChickitta]

Still pain free? I heard the cortisone shot is temporary pain relief. Is this true?

[@TheCelticsAREboss]

Thanks a lot for these videos. I would tell you my whole story regarding plica syndrome in my knee, but i'd rather not bore you to death. I'll just say this: I got it around 9+ months ago. My orthopedist was unable to diagnose me with it for 7 months, which he then told me he doesn't know what's wrong with my knee. For 7 months I kept running, swimming, biking, and lifting through it.I decided to go see a sport's medicine doctor, because clearly there was something wrong with my knee, and he diagnosed me with plica syndrome. So far, it has been like 9 weeks of rest. I took meloxicam for 30 days, and a week and half ago my family doctor prescribed me methylprednisolone tablets(4mg) which I took for 6 days. I think the tablets worked a little bit. Anyway, I go back to the sport's medicine doctor on Aug 28, where I will most likely get a cortisone injection. I am hoping the injection does the trick because I seriously don't want to get the surgery. I hope this goes away, as it is going to make reaching my dream a whole lot worse if it doesn't.

[@alfonsolopc]

If you read the comments a lot of people say surgery is the way to go. I have had pain for about 4 months now but i dont have half of the chronic symptoms that people mention here. I will keep training and stretching my knee and legs. Hopefully the problem goes away soon. Good luck

[@basic-decaf]

I've had snagging sensations, clicking when riding a bike, and loud pops when squatting for my whole life. 8 months ago I squatted quickly at work and the pop sound was so loud people in the next room came in wondering what happened. Wasn't painful until I went home and squatted again, and that time the pop sensation was incredibly painful. I could barely walk, or crouch, or use that leg on stairs. After an MRI I found out a chunk of my medial plica severed and dislodged into the space behind my kneecap, making it feel as though my kneecap would burst if I put weight on the knee while it was bent. I haven't been able to climb stairs in 8 months. I had the medial plica excision surgery done 2 weeks ago, and they also found out my lateral meniscus was torn and they removed about 10%. This recovery seems very slow so far, my leg is very swollen and I now have medial meniscus pain whenever I put weight on the knee. Physical therapy and ice have been relieving these symptoms. But, as you said, it seems the surgery is not very common. I was not given a brace and was told to put weight on the knee the day after surgery. My physical therapist was shocked.

[@TheSosimel]

Hey thank you so much 4sharing FB here. How is your recovery been now that 6months has passed? Are u feeling better hopefully? I was diagnosed finally just today w/this plica syndrome after 6months ago having dangerous fall & getting PT etc my knee pain got worse thru these months. So I am grateful to finally know the cause of pain if true but now I hope alternatives can heal this otherwise my pain is so excruciating I may have to consider the surgery down the road.

[@w_4ca]

I went back and forth with my doctor for years. I tore my meniscus in 2016 but didn’t have surgery. They said if I did PT it would heal on it’s own and it mostly did. But anytime I would do intense exercise, heavy squats and deadlifts, Jiu Jitsu, long distance running/biking my knee would have this horrible stabbing feeling. My doctor wrote it off as tight hamstrings, tight quads, poor exercise form, etc. I finally went to an orthopedic walk in clinic and a young ambitious doctor who hadn’t been a doctor but a few months really started toying with my knee and found when pain would occur. He ordered an MRI and found the plica syndrome and said he believes my meniscus grew too much scar tissue when it tore. So when I do hard leg exercises my knee becomes inflamed and the plica becomes irritated. Having surgery next month to get it removed and I’m hoping I’ll finally be able to workout pain free 🙏

[@cassybfit3539]

So do you have any updates post plica surgery?

[@w_4ca]

@@cassybfit3539 It took away all the pain I was having in my knee! Im able to weight train and do Jiu Jitsu without that sharp stabbing pain I had before. It’s taken some time to build the strength in my legs back up but that’s expected after any surgery. The post surgery recovery wasn’t too bad. I was in a lot of pain the first day after my surgery and couldn’t walk on it. By day 2 I was able to hobble around on it. Day 3 I was walking normal with little to no pain. Within about 2 weeks I was running on it pain free.

[@cassybfit3539]

Wow what a success story. That's wonderful, you cannot beat being pain free.

[@syahirahjuhar8124]

Wow..nice. i just had plica surgery 2days ago and currently doing physio as what ive been told by the therapist. So now i am hoping to recover asap so that i can proceed on the other knee.

[@briniwilliams9369]

Thought it was a meniscus tear but ended up being plica that was impinging and causing defect to medial femoral condyle …. Im 8 hours post op , slowly walking with and without crutches … knee feels better already , cant wait to keep healing

[@3decyt]

how are you now?

[@dirkmccoy6279]

I had a medial meniscus tear and my surgeon also resected a proximal lateral base plica while he was in there. Honestly I think I had more pain from the plica on the lateral side of the knee than I did from the medial meniscus tear. However, I believe the plica was symptomatic because the tear caused me to externally rotate my tibia just a bit when walking and that aggravated the plica. So it took me a long time to get a proper diagnosis for the tear because every time I went to see an ortho I complained of pain on the lateral side and they always said I was negative for plica. This went on for 25 years before I finally had an MRI that showed the meniscus tear.

[@chrisraine7468]

doctors seem so against surgery but I have had this surgery because the shot and physical therapy didn’t work, I am so much better I’m never going to back to pain free or perfect but the surgery works better than anything else

[@marialeonorcobo8962]

Very informative. Thank you. My doctor thinks what I have is the plica syndrome. He suggested a radiography and a tomography to confirm and he said that if that is the case, we could try with therapy and at last surgery. I have rested for 1.5 weeks and the pain hasn’t improved. Oh, he also sent me anti inflammatory pills

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@sarahvonderlinde3373]

I had surgery on both my plica bands and saw instant pain relief!

[@cookieandcream17]

Sarah von der Linde hey 😊 i got my plica removed 3 months ago but my knee makes some noises when i bend and stretch it afterwards and the patella jumps towards the inside of the knee... did you have the same Problem? And how long took it until you could do anything you did before surgery? 🙈

[@sarahvonderlinde3373]

Hey!! That happened to me too, it's just scar tissues and things forming that make those feelings and noises so no worries about that. And it took me about 3 months until I could fully run again and things like that!! Good luck :) youll be back before you know it!!

[@cookieandcream17]

Sarah von der Linde i hope that they dont have to cut the scare tissue out 😂🙈 i read that some people might get too much excessiv scare tissue... but thanks for youre response i hope i am fully recovered in a few weeks too 😘

[@sarahvonderlinde3373]

I'm sure it will work out!! I had really bad scar tissue too so I had to do tons of physical therapy but it worked out! Good luck!

[@Sestenise]

Sarah von der Linde only surgery worked on fixing plica? Doctor recommended me a workout schedule. I'm confused now

[@emilyenea4920]

I’ve had horrible knee pain for 8 years or so. I was diagnosed with plica syndrome about 7 years ago (my right knee) after MRIs and X-rays. I tried physical therapy and cortisone shots first and ended up having a surgery on my right knee. The pain didn’t decrease after the surgery and then I noticed the same pain in my left knee as well. I had been an active ballet dancer up until 2 years ago and now love spending my time in the gym. I know that the outward, “turned out” position of ballet had caused much pain and damage to the inside of my knees. Ice and resting from activity helps but is only temporary until the next time I work out. I had another MRI done recently and sent to my orthopedic and he said that plica didn’t seem to be present but there were other tears or injuries elsewhere. Will plica even show on an MRI? I guess I don’t trust my surgeon.

[@DrDavidGeier]

Plicae can show up on MRIs if they are inflamed and swollen.

[@emilyenea4920]

***there weren’t any other tears or injuries that showed up. I’m convinced it’s plica still with so much pain, it maybe just didn’t show on the MRI or it wasn’t super inflamed at the time of the MRI seeing as I had dedicated to taking a few weeks off of working out at the time

[@teledetecteur9879]

​@@emilyenea4920 did you find the solution ?

[@hflores6324]

Yes Plica in the knee is an off and on pain for a lifetime. I would go very long periods with no issues then I would have a flare up. The pain of plica is unmistaken. Inside of knee center area next to knee cap is tender to touch. Kneeling with an inflamed plica can cause catching to happen which is super painful. Maybe I was dealt some extra cards with this plica, but I take full responsibility for problems caused by it though. You see, I’m addicted to running and being physically active, but I love skipping stretching and strengthening. It takes a while before the plica flares up…and that makes me more arrogant about the conditioning that I need to keep up. The pain is very humbling though and takes me right back to the conditioning which takes care of things very well until the arrogance sets again. I’m 50. I could go for the surgery, but I truly believe living with plica is better than not. I need to just finally grow up, give it a hug, and take care of me routinely so it takes care of me.

[@dexdogster]

Hey Dr. David! I have have plicae syndrome in both knees. In my left knee I had the first surgery and recovered nicely. Although it did take nearly a year and a half to get diagnosed properly. 15 years later I had to have the same procedure in my right knee, but also had a torn meniscus as well. Less than a year later, the plicae in my right knee had regrown, my meniscus was torn again and I had developed a Cyclops Lesion. Then just over a year and a half later the original plicae in my left knee returned and I had to have that and a meniscal tear repaired. I have also developed osteoarthritis in both knees and I know that my left knee will most likely need to be replaced in the future. I can feel the plicae starting to cause pain in my right knee again, so I am keeping an eye on that. I have learned how to keep my knee strong as the symptoms worsen. As I have learned, the stronger I am going into surgery, the better result and easier recovery and physical therapy is.

[@kirstinlassig3091]

What have you learned to get strong knees? I’m in need of some tips!

[@dustincothern3917]

I first noticed my plica syndrome in iraq. I had been physically active most of my life and never has any knee problems. In iraq my knee began hurting though and i stopped running as much as i should have to maintain shape. When i got home i was stubborn and kept trying to run so i coukd pass national guard pt tests but i just couldn't fight the pain. Eventually my sgt made me go to the doctor. They kept looking for for other things and found the plica to be inflamed by accident when mri was taken looking for othee causes. Thus far i have not had surgery as it would limit my civilian career as i am on my feet all day. However taking an alternative pt test is slowing my military career progression. Still considering surgery but thus far haven't done it.

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now ?

[@GenesysRider23]

I just got diagnosed with Plica syndrome a few days ago. No surgery as of yet, but 6 weeks of physical therapy and a cortisone shot hopefully will do the trick! Especially since I’ll be a new dad in a week! 😳🙏🏻

[@mostafaalkady6556]

Hi Mike, congratz on being a new dad! How did your knee case go?

[@LorenzoCucurachi]

How did you cortisone shot go???

[@m.m.alfaihani8263]

Wish if u can update us with the results of the shot !

[@Rocky_6822]

Hello Doctor. Very informative video. Im a Medical Student. I play badminton very often. Occasionally i get a knee pain on the medial side. Im pretty sure it is not the MCL. It is more on the anterior side. Exactly where this plica goes. Pain is more in the area of the joint line a little to the tibial end. On some days it is not even giving me a little pain. But on somedays it gives me pain when i exert pressure to that leg , like jumping. Cannot get power from the leg when it gives me pain. Then all i have to do is rest for a day then jt goes away. If i started running it comes again after running about 1km. But i can continue running because the pain is mild and running doesnt really need a big amount of power like jumping. The interesting thing is sometimes i get peroneal muscle tightness on that knee and the tightness comes in the upper part of the peroneal muscle. About 5cm from the knee joint. If the peroneal tightness is present ,the plica pain is present too. That is the place where i cannot think further. I dont know what causes this. Pain is mild to mid level.

[@kanebasi7343]

Really great video by the Doc on this one. Thank you Dr. Geier. So, I was doing leg extensions about 10 years ago. I did quite a bit of weight. It's an open chain exercise. Heard pop in both knees when I was doing that. That was the start of my plica syndrome. It hurt really bad for a couple months and then eventually settled down. I was always having pain in both knees after that for about 9 years. It was about a 2ish background pain. I ignored it. Did some imaging during that time period. MRI found nothing except the plicas. Pain was classic plica area pain. About 2 months ago, I did a quad stretch. I didn't even think the plica were going to get reirritated. Well, guess what, they did! I've had trouble walking or doing anything since they've been re-irritated. Standing up for long periods kills them. I did cortisone injections. They haven't helped. I'm considered doing PRP and then surgery as a last resort. But, at this point, I think I'm headed for a bilateral scope in a few weeks. I'll update you guys as to how it goes. It's scary as F. But, I got a life to live as well. I tried physical therapy all that stuff over the years. Nothing doing the trick. Will update you guys. Say a prayer for me when you get a chance! Same back at all of you. Good luck.

[@Filatov75]

Hi, I have the same problems for about 2 years. So what happened with your knee how are you feeling?

[@shadowyshutterbug]

how did it go?

[@mimiegwapa3685]

How are you now?

[@LorenzoCucurachi]

Hey @Kane how did the surgery go? Did you recover well? Why did you get osteoarthritis?

[@ajoshuabertini6832]

Was diagnosed with plica syndrome a few years ago. Once every 8 months or so my knee appears to pop out but the ortho said it was the plica catching. I just had it happen two days ago and the pain and stiffness feel like I must have torn something but this is just how it gets when the plica catches. It takes a good three weeks or more for things to settle down. I eventually might consider the surgery but I actually handle the flare ups pretty well. Hopefully they won’t start to happen more frequently. Thanks for the video.

[@iwangeras]

I had my plica surgery for little over a month from now. What caused my plica tear was trauma to the knee from playing handball and always hiting and landing on that knee. I´ve had problems with my knee for some time now and contacted my orthopedic center and within 3 months I was laying on the surgery table. I had a MRI done and they found a crack/tear in the meniscus and nothing mentioning the plica. While doing the surgery they see that the meniscus tear was hard to reach and instead of laping it together they left it and found my plica syndrome. My journey so far has been very hard and stressful. Work has been calling me to get back as quickly as posible so my rehab has been stressful. I'm writing this comment on friday the 28th of june and I came back to work monday 24th of june... It's been a rough week you could say. This week I've mostly done administration jobs, sitting by desk as much as posible and taking minor walks. But in two weeks I'm supposed to get more physical duties. I'm scared that I won't be able to do my job the way I'm supposed to do it and that it will make my comeback journey much harder! If someone has some tips and ideas for me how to get through this, please tell me! Thank you Dr. David for making it a lot clearer for me!!!

[@DrDavidGeier]

I’m sorry, but Dr. Geier can’t legally answer medical questions and offer specific medical advice online. Join Dr. Geier on his monthly Ask Dr. Geier Live! Show, July 26, when he'll be live on KZbin at 12 PM ET - and bring your questions! Until then, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people. - Dr. David Geier team

[@erinkunkel668]

I suddenly felt a catching sensation one day when running...I continued the run but after that continued to feel the catching when walking up stairs and dancing. The catching was rare at first but became more and more frequent and more painful. I tried pt to strengthen my quads et stretch my hamstrings. After 7 months, I finally was diagnosed with plica through MRI and arthroscanner, which showed nothing wrong with my ligaments or meniscus. I had a cortizone injection which did nothing, as far as I can tell. I am on month 8 of pt and have increased frequency of pt sessions. I met a surgeon who said if it doesn't get better after a few more weeks of pt I should consider surgery. My question is: How do I decide if I should get surgery or not?

[@ancientdiscoverys]

Is your knee still catching?

[@charliewhyman8112]

It took them 11 years to work out why I am in so much agony then they operated on both legs which was completely worth recovering for the relief I had but unfortunately it has come back 5 years later with complete aggression and no doctors want to even entertain me. I honestly cannot stand the affect this has on everything I can’t even go out dancing as a 25 year old girl or even get down the stairs in the morning. Instead I’m keeled over like an 80 year old arthritis patient and it is truly horrendous and depressing. If only I had a doctor who actually knew what I was speaking about.

[@grace_0109-o]

I just got diagnosed with this today. I've been dealing with this for years and it's gotten worse in the past 2 months. My doctor suggested surgery since physical therapy didn't work and meloxicam helped with the inflammation. I have surgery on January 8th and researching about this condition since I've never heard of it. I've also had multiple dislocations and a minor ACL tear. Hoping to be myself again after this just worried about recovery time!

[@oliverbanter1865]

@@liprox Hows it going now, was the the surgery a success?

[@carriejohnson1558]

@@liprox Any update since your last post? I'm getting ready to have this surgery and interested in how long it took to fully recover. Any advice would be extremely helpful!

[@paulom.5044]

@@liprox how r u now?

[@umutgemicibas7011]

How much time did you recover after surgery?

[@grace_0109-o]

@@umutgemicibas7011 I was back to normal activities within 6-7 weeks. The surgeon found a fracture in my cartilage during surgery which delayed my healing. I started physical therapy within 10 days post op which helped as well.

[@anintatej]

What's the different in symptoms of plica and ligament tear? How do you know, purely on symptomatic report, what's what?

[@marcanderson4395]

Just had knee surgery for a meniscus tear that the MRI showed. However, once they were inside the knee, they didn't see any meniscus tears. Instead, he found the plica and removed it. Hopefully, that fixes the pain i was having. My pain was random catching going up stairs or standing after sitting. The catching was very painful, but after stretching and rotating ankle for a few seconds, things would pop and work normal again. Sometimes, i could even see what looked like a tendon moving under my skin on the inside of my knee cap. Very weird, only been a week after surgery so things are still swollen so can't say it's been fixed yet, but i certainly hope so.

[@Lol-st7sk]

Marc Anderson doctors also thought I had a meniscus tear but ended having perfect meniscus and instead they took out my plica, how was your recovery? Any tips? Had my surgery today

[@andreacantarini]

any update? thank you

[@mikenapage3202]

Marc Anderson this is totally my symptoms as well , I do all star cheerleading and some times my knee gets caught

[@SQHoopTime0208]

Hi Dr. David, i just had arthroscopic surgery on my lateral meniscus and had plica surgery as well once the doctor got in there with the scope. I’m a week into recovery and being able to walk with a little less pain everyday. The question i have is that i was wondering if plica is present in both of the knees for people who develop plica syndrome in one. Like will I eventually need surgery for my other need some time down the road or is it possible for my left knee to not have the plica?

[@santiagou.6938]

Such a profesional and informative video!

[@lisak7065]

Oh it‘s so true that it can take soooooo long till you know what the problem is. The first time the doctors have always told me that it’s behause of growing etc. Finally three years ago I‘ve had the plica removed. Unfortunately I‘m one of those 2% where the plica has regrown, so I had surgery yesterday to remove it again...

[@DrDavidGeier]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@alfonsolopc]

Hello Dr. David Geier. Could you please recommend some stretches, or basic mobility exercises to recover the knee from a plica. I am a skater and surfer and my knee receives a lot of shock, especially when skateboarding. I have done a physiotherapy session with functional exercises such as balanced squats and lunges, but right after the training and the day after I'm in a lot of pain, so I'm not sure if this is the way to proceed. Thank you in advance.

[@고유진-o7c]

I've been seriously considering plica surgery on both of my knees .. Plica and chondromali..(knee cap injury) are killing me and I'm extremely depressed ..

[@Tahara-Aichi]

고유진 same here

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@AR-Race]

Been snowboarding for the first time and developed this discomfort exactly in the area you’re describing. Doesn’t feel severe enough at all to be any sort of tear. No knee instability or major. pain. Just off to take some ibuprofen. Nice scarf in the background btw.

[@ZED_Sport]

chào bác sĩ, tôi được chuẩn đoán là bị plica, có cách nào để phục hồi mà không phải phẫu thuật không?

[@hypecentric]

I do bodybuilding, I squat heavy weights , do you recommend I stop for awhile or do lighter weight ? Thanks

[@DrDavidGeier]

If you are able, join Dr. Geier here on this Friday’s Ask Dr. Geier Live! show at Noon ET, July 29. He would be happy to discuss this. Also, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people. - Dr. David Geier team

[@truwilliams1330]

I had plica surgery 3 years ago. Plica Got caught in knee cap, so I was unable to straighten leg. It was a very painful recovery compared to meniscus surgery on knee. Lots of swelling, but in my case very necessary. My question is, I have recently started getting that same pain again on medial side of knee, right where Plica was. Any chance plica grow back?

[@joaopereira7885]

Do you still experience some swelling?

[@debrasalinas2831]

Oh no .. I’m having pain there getting mri .. scary your dealing with it again 🙏🏼 hope you figure this out

[@brittneyherod9392]

I just had an arthroscopic surgery where my dr remove cartilage from under my knee cap and the plica was folded completely in half so the dr remove it as well. It start when I just sat down on my couch this past thanksgiving, then 2 days later the same thing happened. It started to get better but 2 days before Christmas I was getting out of a truck and my foot got stuck on the step board my leg folded in half. I heard/felt a loud pop and ever since then have had trouble. Thanks for letting me know that it can take a while to get over that type of surgery, I was getting worried because it was still swelling.

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@mikes9922]

Dr. Geier I'm not sure i I have plica but after watching the video it sounds like it. I had a meniscus surgery 13 years ago and the knee is somewhat arthritic from x-rays. I have significant pain that is tender to the touch on the inside of my knee. Unlike the meniscus issue there is a hard bump that when palpated hurts. Walking and increased physical activity makes the pain worse. I used anti inflammatories and my orthopaedic Dr. injected me about a month ago on the outside of my knee and into the joint. This relieved symptoms for a couple of weeks but it s back and pretty severe. Should I have an MRI or should I seek another injection this time into the plica itself. Thanks for your response.

[@slayerofmadnesss]

Hello Dr. David, I am having sevre need problems on both of my knees. I have instabilty and pain while doing sports also latetly I have a stabing senation on the inside of the knee sometimes while walking, when this happens my knee pain increase alot for the next few days. I have done various MRTs and Dotors an Physiotherapist cant help me. In the MRT the results say a have a plica medialis and a very small meniski tear on the inside meniski but doctors say this shouldnt be problematic. Im really clueless now how to get my knee problems away. Can you recommend a specialist who can check my MRTs?

[@brianfarley4847]

I suspect this is my issue bilaterally. I ride a bike to work daily. And annually rack up 5500kms. With Covid-19 i am now working from home and not riding anymore. I suspect the lack of exercise and familiar routine has made the condition more prominent. I feel the pain most often at night in bed. I am going to get checked out once this pandemic is over.

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@19kcrypto]

minimal effusion in suprapatellar recess of the joint mri what could be the reason,no swelling but pain 24h from 2y

[@_danila5185]

Hi! Can you experience plica pain spreading along the same medial side , but also upper, almost close to quads?

[@_danila5185]

Liprox i got rid of it by sirgery

[@_danila5185]

Liprox i did it was very successful. Almost no surgical pain from surgery and no pain at all when I exercise anymore. Super easy took 10 minutes

[@_danila5185]

Liprox are you thinkin about surgery?

[@ace-fk5rq]

@@_danila5185 was this from a suprapatellar plica??

[@_danila5185]

@@ace-fk5rq medial plica :)

[@omarserna621]

Just got symptoms in the start of january of this year i mostly get some light aches but sometimes after prolonged periods of exercise they can be pretty strong aches and was told that i had a plica fold after getting an mri done. Im really considering getting surgery if pain persists since im scared of any long term damage to knee or cartilage.

[@jesswolfie7372]

I went to get a second opinion after a precious doctor dismissed my pain as nothing. This new doctor suspects I have plica syndrome. I’ve had crazy pain for 9 months after banging the interior side of my knee. Just got a Cortizone shot and I really hope it will help.

[@berngarcia3869]

Thank you for the information! I just had a arthroscopy on my knee and was told that I had scar tissue on my Plica from a traumatic injury. All my MRIs didn’t show it, is that normal?

[@MadisonZaber]

My doctor said that you couldn’t see the plica on an mri so maybe it is normal but I’m not a doctor so I do not know for sure

[@graceaguirre3655]

Hi Dr. Geier, I have had years and years worth of worsening burning pain in both knee caps, especially when i sit or stand for periods of time and when wearing tighter pants (compression on knee caps). LOTS of crackling and burning sensation all around knee caps and inner part of knee, sharp pains with certain motions, no visual or palpable swelling. I am curious, how many of your plica syndrome pts have bilateral pain? Or are they usually containing symptoms in one knee only? Thanks! P.S. I know you can't offer medical advice on hear :)

[@bartekduda5350]

Have you found out the cause? I have exact same symptoms.

[@manuelbrocato2534]

I had an arthroscopy 3 years ago to remove a plica (sinovitis chronic) but now the exact synthoms return. What can I do? I gain more weight since the surgery and I play soccer often but the pain don't let me play without pain

[@menjadi9]

Have you tried exercise therapy?

[@myscreen2urs]

I've been getting this one pain somewhere around the anterior medial of my left knee and plica syndrome seems to be the one that makes most sense but I'm 100% certain. My left knee has always had this tendency to click by twisting. In fact, it's like i get a sense of pressure right there next to my knee cap and doing this twist click manoeuvre relieves it. It's only gotten painful in the last few months and it can radiate down the medial side of the patella tendon with pain with full extension but only when my weight is on it and it i lean forward a certain way

[@yesibel77]

I’m getting this surgery in 45 days and I’m terrified that it won’t get rid of the pain. We’ll see 😭

[@keenahazhar6352]

Hi How are you now?

[@denitsahadzhiyska]

Would it be positive to heel without surgery? I have been diagnosed with it since 1 month after the beginning of the symptoms with an MRI with NO cartilage damage and since then I am taking medications, PT and rest as well as trying to correct my almost flat feet. It’s been a month since I started and I see difference and improvement, but I am concerned if there would be any problem in the future or how I could prevent it to come back or make a cartilage damage in the future?

[@AllAboutBraces221]

Hi, I'm 12 days post op from plica excision. Sometimes plica syndrome symptoms can be fixed without surgery. But in my case nothing was helping so i had surgery. Speaking from experience after the plica was removed my surgeon saw some cartilage damage on my medial femoral condyle where the plica sat. I would ask your dr though

[@denitsahadzhiyska]

@@AllAboutBraces221 Hey there! I hope you are well and recovering fast 😊 May I ask for your social media so we can chat a bit, I would be happy if ai can ask if a few questions. If you feel uncomfortable it’s fine i al just curious, but I would be happy to talk to you! On the other hand I have improvement of mine symptoms and since the PT works doctors told me to stick with it and give it a few more months for the inflammation to settle down. I am wondering if you have done MRI before the surgery and how long after the begging of the symptoms you considered to have the surgery, and if the PT worked a little but or it was the scope that resolved the problem 😊 Let me know! Wishing you fast recovery!

[@AllAboutBraces221]

Yes of course! I use instagram to post about my surgery a lot. 12a.l.e.x.a.n.d.r.a3 is my insta. I had an MRI in March of 2021. The MRI showed thickened medial patellar plica. I was dealing with knee issues for 9 years on this knee and 9 months of 24/7 constant pain and clicking before the surgery. Ive tried everything. PT, ice, sleeves, braces, message, dry needling, ibuprophen and nothing helped! Surgery was up to me but i chose to do it because my knee pain was effecting my life

[@denitsahadzhiyska]

@@AllAboutBraces221 Thank you for the information! I messaged you on Instagram so we could not spam a lot in here xx

[@ancientdiscoverys]

Can you have this with only crunching and cracking without any pain ?

[@keats27]

What could cause acute pain on the right (inside) side of the left knee that moves to the left (outside) part of the knee--pain is below the knee cap....starts inside, moves to outside, makes getting up and down very difficult...

[@SuperSanDiegoHomes]

I have pain in the area described in the video. Right knee, inside. It aggravates when I engage the knee to lift the leg, like walking or moving my position in bed, for example. The area is quite tender to the touch. Is tenderness common with a plica diagnosis? Note: 6 months ago had TKR on left knee so, I've been favoring the right for a long time before that. I hit the right knee on a glass table recently (didn't think much of it at the time) but today it is difficult to walk.

[@DrDavidGeier]

If you are able, join Dr. Geier here on his monthly Ask Dr. Geier Live! show at Noon ET, this Friday, July 28. He would be happy to discuss this. Also, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people. - Dr. David Geier team

[@michaelsingler2228]

I had my knee feel like it crumbled, very painful. Did 3 months of physical therapy with the result being I have good range and strength, however the pain has not subsided. It still randomly crumbles on me. After finally getting an MRI the doctor told me it is a Plica accompanied with a small vertical meniscus tare. Still waiting to see an orthopedist for treatment plan.

[@3novembersky]

I was diagnosed with this last year about this time. My problem was not in the inside of my knew but the outside. I did PT, cortisone, they drained 80cc of fluid off my knee the first time and about half that the second time. Finally they decided surgery. He took out torn cartilage and shaved off both of my Plica bands in Jan of 2018 and I thought I was home free. Did PT after surgery got well I was back to normal. 2 months ago I started experiencing pain again on the surgical sight. It started swelling again but not as bad. I decided to start doing my PT at home again and it’s been somewhat better. Wondering if this is normal? He said 6mths after surgery you wouldn’t be able to tell you had it, well that was true but at 8-9 months I sure could tell again.

[@robertocervantesjr4670]

Hi! Would plica pain or injury be caused to a twisted ankle or issues with your foot? Asking this Because before my plica became hurting me, my foot was hurting me at 1st. After 3 days or so of foot pain, the next day I started feeling pain in my knee. Started with light pain but got worse day after day.

[@dhilton222]

I’m a professional athlete and I was diagnosed with quad tendonitis by two different doctors rehabbed off and on for years finally got a third opinion cause nothing shows up on the mri and they wanted to do surgery and cut into my quad tendon or do percatanious needle tenotomy .. so the 3rd doc said it was most likely plica . So gotta get it scoped I have a question is it possible to have in both knees or if you have one is the other more susceptible to having or getting one ?

[@DrDavidGeier]

If you are able, join Dr. Geier here on Friday’s Ask Dr. Geier Live! show at Noon ET, on March 3. He would be happy to discuss this. Also, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people. - Dr. David Geier team

[@evitaroyer5975]

heres the situation, I had knee pain from freshman year of high school till now (freshman in college). when I was a junior i went to get my knee checked out & they told me it was plica syndrome. so i did physical therapy, got the cortizone shot, & went on anti inflammatory pills. Even after all that, I still have flare ups on most days. is surgery an option to consider?

[@marykerosslee4893]

I had the plica released 10 years ago in my left knee, but not the right knee even though it had the same issue. I have SLE Lupus and Osteoarthritis, so when I have a bad flare-up the right knee pain is terrible - even without a flare-up it's bad. Way worse than the left knee ever was. Point is, I don't think the only issue was the Plica. Although there was some relief in the operated knee, the pain never completely went away.

[@martha4276]

Just got out of surgery a few hours ago. It hurts a little but i can put a little bit of weight on it. It was scary at first but I think it’ll be worth the surgery in a few weeks. If anyone else it having this surgery, don’t be nervous. It goes really quickly and take the lidocaine they offer for the iv needle.

[@DrDavidGeier]

Glad to hear it went well!

[@Lol-st7sk]

How are you doing now? I just got my surgery today, any tips for a good recovery?

[@martha4276]

Well, I would recommend walking as soon as you can. I walked right after surgery so I regained mobility within a week and didn’t have to go back for another two weeks of physical therapy. If your stitches come out early, butterfly bandages until it heals properly. Make sure you go to the bathroom after surgery as well. Take advantage of the pain meds they pump you with.

[@martha4276]

I have been diagnosed with Plica as well, I in-line skate so when it got bad, my knee had gone backwards and sideways. After physical therapy the doctor immediately went to surgery option because he didn’t think cortisone shots would work at all

[@martha4276]

I also am having surgery this Wednesday.

[@DrDavidGeier]

I hope it goes well. Please share updates.

[@martha4276]

Will do Doc!

[@umutgemicibas7011]

@@martha4276 How long after surgery did you recover?

[@martha4276]

@@umutgemicibas7011 it took me about a year to be fully recovered on each knee. If you do the strength training that the doctor prescribes every day, it’ll make a huge difference. Just keep swimming little guppy! 😁

[@Lol-st7sk]

Got my surgery for this today, what would you recommend for a good and healthy recovery? Ice? Not bending it to much? Not walking on crutches too much? Any ideas? Thanks

[@DrDavidGeier]

I’m a fan of ice, home motion and strength exercises and physical therapy.

[@cyaxares-median]

Does it effects on knee bending?

[@angelapolly1]

I have a visible (with flashlight) snapping right where you described. Started Sunday after an increase in weighted dynamic lunges. Uncomfortable when it snaps. Glad to know it will most likely get better.

[@angelapolly1]

No plans to go to a doctor for mine. Just don’t trust the majority of them. You seem to know what you’re talking about. No pain for me, just irritating when I feel it. Taking some time off cycling and deep squats to let it settle down.

[@josephneuwirth1475]

My 15 yr old daughter has chronic knee pain that has not responded to PT nor steroid injection. She races MTB's and had to finish each race this season with severe pain. Post MRI, orthop says plica most likely --- BTW there is little to no edema ---- continuous low-grade pain medial to patella. I can palpate robe-like feature running medial to patella ---- is that retinaculum or can one actually percieve the medial patella plica?

[@nasiruddin8029]

Show how it surgery

[@whazzat8015]

To what degree may the arthroscopy cause resolution of pain syndromes with plica, given their asymptomatic prevalence? Essentially sham procedures causing resolution? a Strong placebo effect? Like the old joke about beating pans in the woods to get rid of sabertooth tigers. That vs. spontaneous resolution occurring. ? Somebody done the study?

[@lukeboyXD99]

I have an inflamed plica in my right knee and my doctor suggested a surgical treatment after a 8 months period of no activity (no pt or things like that, just no activity at all). I'm doing the operation next month, but I think I could try something more. What types of exercises do you recommend for this type of problem? Thanks a lot

[@DrDavidGeier]

+Luke9299 I usually have my patients work with a physical therapist after surgery, either regularly or at least once to learn a program specific to that surgery that they can do every day on their own. Hope it goes well!

[@lukeboyXD99]

Dr. David Geier Is there nothing to try before the surgical treatment?

[@annika6935]

I have plica syndrome and I've had a cortisone injection which resolved it for a while and can resolve it completely for many, and now I'm doing PT. I learned that my knee was not the actual issue, but for me specifically it was my hips.i personally can't take anti-inflammatories, but that's what my doctor typically recommends for people with an inflamed plica, as it can decrease swelling.

[@lukeboyXD99]

Annika B how did you check your hips was the problem?

[@annika6935]

A physical therapist did. I had a referral from my doctor, but you can also do direct access PT.

[@Goudy0071]

Hi David, my name is Brent. I had meniscus surgery 2 years ago and about 2 months after the surgery I noticed this nagging pain that they said was plica syndrome. Was never there before, but when I rubbed the medial area I could actually feel that band and could move it side to side which I only did a couple times cause my dr told me not to. So I am 47 and still play sports, but when I move in a certain way I can feel that pop and then I can not even put any pressure on my leg, basically can't even stand, because the pain from the plica gets bothered, I'm hoping to find a solution so I can continue to stay active without worrying about that. And thank you for the video.

[@mahmoudalmetwali2824]

Hi Dr David, thanks for the information, I might go for the surgery option since Plica shows in my MRI and chondromalacia patella is there as well, hopefully the recovery won't take much time 😑

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@bentristan4580]

My daughter is 12 and scheduled for surgery to correct. Should i get second opinion?

[@sandraklein1673]

I started having knee pain and swelling years ago that came and went. I have tenderness, clicking, limited comfort with flexion, my knee cap seems to go out of place, and recently I fell when I twisted my knee. An X-ray and MRI show very mild arthritis and a cyst. I’ve done physical therapy with daily exercises for five weeks and had a cortisone injection. Seems like this surgery is now my only choice especially since I don’t want to fall again. My surgery date is in two weeks.

[@shach22]

Hi Sandra, how are you now?

[@sandraklein1673]

David Schachner Hi David. I am so much better since my surgery. It turns out it wasn’t a plica but another issue not seen on the imaging studies. If you have a problem I hope it turns out as good as mine.

[@mirmuneer7032]

I have knee plica in the left knee after doing MRI it showed the same ,,, swelled up and hot to touch and I can't walk freely and it is on the lateral side of the knee... What to do first to unswell the knee... So that I could move the leg freely

[@arigranillo798]

Hi, Dr David! I recently found out I had a Plica I was like a whattttt? Anyway I fell twice very hard on my left knee cap in the last 7 months, at first had this nagging pain in my knee could not sleep at all on my right side my knees could not touch bought pillows did stretchs nothing helped just a nag nag nag,then after my 2nd fall right on my knee cap !that was awful got about a half a golf size knot on my knee waiting a week ended up in emergency room I know something was not right wasn’t getting any relief got all the imaging and the mri finally reviled I had a plica went to one ortho told me I tore my plica badly and that I need to have surgery and to make along story short he didn’t seem to have any experience with my situation so went to an other Ortho and she told me my knee was very inflamed not only outside but inside and I didn’t have a Torn Plica just my Plica was a folded tissue in my knee cap and sent me home with a anti inflammatory gel for my knee .. now it’s been a month and it’s worse then ever it’s nagging its uncomfortable it’s painful not only at night but all day ,and the other day I was on my feet more than usual and my knee all the way down to my toes were swollen ...I sleep with my knee slight and heating pad , it’s bothering me 24/7 ,I cannot ware jeans the only thing are my tights I don’t even care about that wanted to see if u had Any suggestions?

[@theclutz627]

I was walking without much pain the first couple of days after plica surgery. I was told a two week recovery and it was about 2-3 weeks.

[@denitsahadzhiyska]

How are you doing now?

[@umutgemicibas7011]

Are you okay now The Clutz?

[@Captain.Planet]

I had two doctors do two different surgeries on the same knee about 8 years ago, and both said they cleaned out medial plica. How is that possible ? I still have knee issues to this day.

[@DrDavidGeier]

I’m sorry, but Dr. Geier can’t legally answer medical questions and offer specific medical advice online. Join Dr. Geier on his monthly Ask Dr. Geier Live! Show, January 26, when he'll be live on KZbin at 12 PM ET - and bring your questions! Until then, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people. - Dr. David Geier team

[@harrisondavis1565]

a band on the medial side of the knee that when is rolled over pulls on the inside of my knee cap, is constantly inflamed and causes pain, could this be a symptom of plica syndrome?

[@pepepetrov]

I was diagnosed with Plica Syndrome recently. My knee popped during a run. I did 3 months of physical therapy that didn't help at all. Finally got a cortisone shot that didn't work either. I still experience pain when kneeling, moving downhill or downstairs, transitions from sitting to standing, it wakes me at night and, generally, still a big problem. Neither my doctor or physical therapist has been able to decide best course of treatment. To me, the worst is the waking up at several times each night with pain. This is weirdest injury I've ever had. Quad and hamstring strengthening seems to be helping but going is slow, punctuated by frequent set backs. Bottom line, don't get one these.

[@Doggland]

I am experiencing LITERALLY everything you described. I had surgery in 06 to remove a tumor in my right knee. Continued to have pain a few years after and finally had surgery in 2015 for plica syndrome. (no Dr seemed to believe my pain level..im assuming because my age I'm sure they think I just want drugs) I'm now 26 and continue experiencing pain in BOTH knees. I received a kenalog shot in my right knee with absolutely no relief... Now I see the surgeon on Valentine's Day to figure out what's the next step... This by far has been the most frustrating painful journey... I just want some relief... I hate waking up in the middle of the night with throbbing pains in my knees..

[@AllAboutBraces221]

I'm getting medial pica excision in 5 days! I'm so excited. After 9 years of dealing with right knee pain and 8 months of 24/7 pain, clicking, snapping, stiffness and redness and warmth and swelling. Hopefully the plica was the cause of all my symptoms. I can't wait to feel better.

[@KJ-pj2bf]

During this time were you able to run and workout?

[@AllAboutBraces221]

@@KJ-pj2bf not really just walk. Im 4 days post op! And my surgeon removed a significant medial plica. My pain has been mostly gone for 2 days now and I'm doing well after surgery. So glad i had it!

[@rofflesti]

@@AllAboutBraces221 where was your pain? above (femur) or below (tibia) your kneecap? been having an issue for ~2 months on/off, but it's below kneecap medially, so not sure if this is it or not

[@AllAboutBraces221]

@@rofflesti My pain was on the medial side of my knee cap. Sometimes the pain would shoot down my leg under my kneecap. Hope you get answers! What other symptoms other than pain do you have?

[@AllAboutBraces221]

@@rofflesti the plica does sit next to and sometimes under the knee cap a little. This could be your problem too

[@dakotaholbert9426]

Looks like I'll be having surgery for this again. First on the right knee 6 years ago and now the left knee. Taking the meds to see if it helps, but the first time around it did not.

[@paulom.5044]

how r u now?

[@benzbreezy5645]

hello doc how are you? im a physio. i was diagnosed in MRI of having Med meniscus posterior horn horizontal tear. then when i did arthroscopy the doctor said my meniscus is fine and it is the plica that he saw and removed. im 10 days pot op now

[@denitsahadzhiyska]

How are you doing?

[@nataliespiker4656]

Had a mri today and saw the result, partial tear of my quad tendon, tendonopathy, "water on the knee", and infrapatellar plica and medial plica. Last year I initially partially tore my tendon. This seems much worse

[@gabbygonzaga552]

It looks like I have plica. My knee is popping in exactly that spot when i squat and when I bike. However, the popping is not painful but very annoying. Can this be plica even though it is not painful, or does it have to be painful?

[@shadowyshutterbug]

same thing is happening to me now. are you still having symptoms? did you have surgery?

[@logyde8245]

I was diagnosed with plica syndrome few weeks ago and after steroid injection I don't feel better. Waiting for an appointment in hospital to talk to doctors about what we will do next? I'm very active person so it's not easy but the pain is very uncomfortable at times. Main symptoms are pain while bending squatting walking down the stairs staring longer in one position sitting. Also have strange clicking while bending my knee.

[@DrDavidGeier]

If you are able, join me here on Friday’s Ask Dr. Geier Live! show at Noon ET, June 17. I would be happy to discuss this injury. Also, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on my website - drdavidgeier.com - in which I discuss every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people.