Plica Syndrome Treatment Options

Most cases of plica syndrome respond well to conservative treatment, including:

Rest and Activity Modification: Reduce activities that aggravate symptoms (e.g., deep squats, repetitive knee bending).

Ice Therapy: Apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes several times a day to reduce inflammation.

Physical Therapy:

• Quadriceps strengthening exercises to improve patellar stability.
• Stretching routines for hamstrings, IT band, and hip flexors.
• Manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization to reduce tightness.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen help alleviate pain and swelling.

Corticosteroid Injections: Used in severe cases for temporary relief of plica inflammation.

If conservative treatments fail, a plica resection may be recommended. This is a minimally invasive procedure performed via arthroscopic surgery, where the inflamed plica is removed to relieve symptoms.

Recovery depends on the severity of the condition and treatment approach:

• Non-surgical recovery: 4-6 weeks with physical therapy.
• Post-surgical recovery: 6-12 weeks, with gradual return to activity.
• Progressive strengthening and mobility exercises are essential to prevent recurrence.

To minimize the risk of developing plica syndrome, consider the following:

• Strengthen the quadriceps and gluteal muscles to stabilize the knee.
• Improve flexibility by stretching the hamstrings, IT band, and hip flexors.
• Avoid repetitive knee bending without proper conditioning.
• Use proper running or cycling techniques to prevent excessive strain.
• Wear supportive footwear to reduce knee stress.
• Gradually increase training intensity to prevent overuse injuries.