Arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic type D medial plica

We aimed to review the results of subtotal arthroscopic resection of symptomatic type D medial plica. We retrospectively evaluated 23 knees with symptomatic type D medial plica in 22 patients without other intra-articular pathology. All patients complained of chronic knee pain that had not been alleviated by medical treatment or physical therapy. In only three (13%) of the patients studied was the plica diagnosed pre-operatively with magnetic resonance imaging. The type D medial plicae in our series were classified as fenestrated (14 knees), torn (5 knees), or reduplicated (4 knees). Fibrotic changes in the plicae and degenerative changes on the medial femoral condyle were found in 16 knees Patellofemoral chondromalacia was present in three knees Arthroscopic partial resection was performed in all patients. Comparative Lysholm Knee Scale scores before and after surgery revealed a significant clinical improvement (pre-operative status, 67.19 ± 8.05 vs. post-operative status, 90.57 ± 9.80; P < 0.001). Type D medial plica should be considered as a possible cause of chronic knee pain. Arthroscopic partial resection of the plicae in symptomatic patients gives satisfactory results. Research was performed at the Medical Faculties of Baskent University and Istanbul University.     

Usefulness of knee arthroscopy for diagnosis of knee pain in pediatric patients: comparison with preoperative clinical diagnosis

Purpose

To investigate the knee arthroscopic findings of pediatric patients with knee pain.

Subjects

Ninety-five knees of 94 patients (46 males and 48 females) aged 15 years or younger who underwent knee arthroscopy during a 4-year period from January 2007 were studied. The mean age at surgery was 13.5 (7–15) years. The mean interval from symptom onset to arthroscopic examination was 6.8 months (5 days to 2 years 10 months).

Results

The most common cause of knee pain was sports-related activities (64 knees). Other causes included falling from a moving bicycle (5 knees), while knee pain appeared with no defined reason in 14 knees. The most frequent final diagnosis based on knee arthroscopic findings was anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (35 knees), followed by discoid lateral meniscus (16 knees), lateral meniscal tear (11 knees), and medial plica syndrome (9 knees), while no arthroscopic abnormality was observed in 8 of 95 knees. Among the 95 knees, the diagnosis based on preoperative physical tests and imaging findings was different from the arthroscopic diagnosis in 16 knees, 8 of which were diagnosed preoperatively as medial meniscal tear.

Conclusion

ACL injury and discoid lateral meniscus were the predominant conditions in pediatric patients who underwent knee arthroscopic surgery for knee pain. Knee arthroscopy is useful to provide a definitive diagnosis for knee pain in pediatric patients. Preoperative evaluations had a diagnostic accuracy of only 83.2 % and failed to diagnose conditions such as medial plica syndrome and chondral injury. Therefore, diagnosis before knee arthroscopy has to be interpreted with caution.     

The clinical significance of the complete type of suprapatellar membrane

The plicae are synovial septa remaining in adult life that existed in early fetal life. The suprapatellar plica separates the suprapatellar pouch from the knee joint. The plica syndrome has clinical significance, which has been occasionally overlooked, but the pathophysiology of symptomatic plicae may be hard to explain. To evaluate the clinical significance of the suprapatellar plicae, the authors reviewed 34 cases in 23 patients with vague pain around the knee and a total septum of the suprapatellar plica at arthroscopic examination from September 1991 to December 1993. The follow-up period was from 6 months to 2 years and 9 months. The most common presenting symptom was chronic mild knee pain, aggravated by prolonged squatting or standing, with other patients reporting recurrent swelling, instability, giving-way, or a feeling of snapping. The objective findings include palpable band on the superomedial side, audible snapping, and local tenderness, but there were no significant abnormal findings in the laboratory. The radiographic findings were few, with sclerosis of the articular surface of the patella in 2(6%), malalignment in 1(3%), and mild degenerative change in 4 cases(12%). Five of 11 patients evaluated by bone scan had increased uptake around the patellofemoral joint, and 7 of 13 knees had a relatively small suprapatellar bursa on conventional arthrogram or pneumoarthrogram. At arthroscopy, a suprapatellar plicae with complete septum was identified in 30 of 34 cases (88%) and associated lesions presented as meniscal tears, loose body, and discoid meniscus without tear. The complete plicae were surgically excised under arthroscopic control in 30 patients and the results were excellent in 22 patients (73%), good in 5 (17%), and poor in 3 (10%)at 17 months follow-up; there were no failures. In our opinion, the complete suprapatellar plica is clinically significant in patients who have equivocal diagnosis of knee problems and further studies of the pathophysiology of complete suprapatellar plica are needed. (Arthroscopy 1998 Nov-Dec;14(8):830-5.)     

膝关节髌下皱襞的临床意义

目的:观察膝关节镜下髌下皱襞结构的变化,探讨膝关节髌下皱襞的临床意义。方法:回顾性总结分析膝关节镜手术病例400例,男177例,女223例;年龄9⁷9岁,平均42岁。术前均有膝关节疼痛、肿胀和交锁等现象,保守治疗无效,行膝关节镜检查及镜下手术。术中证实单纯的髌下皱襞病变11例,术前有膝前区疼痛症状者8例,疼痛区域模糊不定者3例,膝关节反复肿胀、积液者2例;术前诊断为半月板损伤4例,关节软骨损伤2例,髌股关节骨性关节炎1例,髌下脂肪垫损伤4例。11例均行膝关节镜下髌下皱襞切除术。结果:400例膝关节镜手术中发现有髌下皱襞结构的284例（71%）;有髌下皱襞病变的52例（13%）,其中单纯的髌下皱襞病变11例（2.75%）。髌下皱襞病变镜下表现为髌下皱襞肿胀、增厚、纤维化、丧失弹性,与髁间凹产生撞击。11例单纯髌下皱襞病变均行关节镜下髌下皱襞切除术,术后随访9例,2例失访,随访时间3²4个月,平均14个月。疗效评定优7例,良1例,可1例,差0例,优良率88.89%。结论:髌下皱襞具有明确的临床意义,其病变可以引起临床症状。     

膝关节髌下皱襞的临床意义

目的:观察膝关节镜下髌下皱襞结构的变化,探讨膝关节髌下皱襞的临床意义。方法:回顾性总结分析膝关节镜手术病例400例,男177例,女223例;年龄9~79岁,平均42岁。术前均有膝关节疼痛、肿胀和交锁等现象,保守治疗无效,行膝关节镜检查及镜下手术。术中证实单纯的髌下皱襞病变11例,术前有膝前区疼痛症状者8例,疼痛区域模糊不定者3例,膝关节反复肿胀、积液者2例;术前诊断为半月板损伤4例,关节软骨损伤2例,髌股关节骨性关节炎1例,髌下脂肪垫损伤4例。11例均行膝关节镜下髌下皱襞切除术。结果:400例膝关节镜手术中发现有髌下皱襞结构的284例(71%);有髌下皱襞病变的52例(13%),其中单纯的髌下皱襞病变11例(2.75%)。髌下皱襞病变镜下表现为髌下皱襞肿胀、增厚、纤维化、丧失弹性,与髁间凹产生撞击。11例单纯髌下皱襞病变均行关节镜下髌下皱襞切除术,术后随访9例,2例失访,随访时间3~24个月,平均14个月。疗效评定优7例,良1例,可1例,差0例,优良率88.89%。结论:髌下皱襞具有明确的临床意义,其病变可以引起临床症状。     

Arthroscopic treatment of a symptomatic hip plica

Synovial plicae are detected most readily by diagnostic arthroscopy. As arthroscopic techniques are applied more frequently to various joints, it should be expected that the diagnosis of plica syndrome will become more common. The authors present a case of symptomatic plica in the hip of a competitive runner, who was treated with arthroscopic resection.     

髌内侧滑膜皱襞综合征为主的膝关节内紊乱

目的:通过临床病例观察,探讨膝内侧滑膜皱襞综合征的诊断、类型及与半月板损伤、软骨损害的关系,分析膝内侧滑膜皱襞综合征的特点及在骨性关节炎发病中所起的作用。方法:关节镜下治疗内侧滑膜皱襞综合征患者48例(53膝),其中男13例(13膝),女35例(40膝);年龄16~71岁,平均56岁;病程1个月~10年,平均26个月。48例于关节镜直视下观察并手术切除滑膜皱襞,处理相应病变。采用Lysholm膝关节量表记分法评价疗效。观察症状体征与实际病损的关系,计算术前与术中诊断的符合率。关节镜下观察症状性滑膜皱襞的部位、性状、分型及软骨磨损的部位和分级,分析增生的滑膜皱襞与半月板损伤、软骨损害的关系。对术前后Lysholm评分采用SPSS13.0统计软件进行统计学处理。结果:常见的软骨缺损有股骨内髁内侧的沟槽状缺损及股骨内侧滑车的类圆形缺损。软骨退变以股骨内髁非负重区为主,占总数的54.29%;以股骨滑车内侧次之,占40.00%;以髌骨内侧关节面为主的缺损居第3位,占5.71%。术后48例53膝均获随访,随访时间17个月~4年,平均28个月。Lysholm膝关节评分:术前平均(41.00±7.03)分,术后平均(85.00±8.01)分(t=-26.17,P<0.001),证明关节镜治疗效果显著。本组优(>90分)12膝,良(80~90分)37膝,可(70~79分)4膝,优良率92.45%,无复发及二次手术者。结论:通过关节镜下特征性改变可以对内侧滑膜皱襞综合征做出明确诊断,股骨内髁及滑车软骨的沟槽状及类圆形磨损是2种典型的皱襞引起的软骨缺损。镜下切除滑膜皱襞疗效满意,对防止软骨进一步损害有积极的意义。     

病理性滑膜皱襞组织神经解剖结构的分布规律研究

目的观察研究膝关节髌内侧滑膜皱襞综合征（MPS）患者病理性滑膜皱襞组织中神经解剖结构的分布规律。方法 膝关节镜下采集2007年5月至2008年11月实验组（MPS）20例和对照组11例（无症状滑膜皱襞）患者的髌内侧滑膜皱襞,采用LsAB和免疫荧光法进行蛋白基因产物9.5（PGP9.5）、P物质（SP）免疫组化染色,半定量测量神经分布区域密度,采用t检验比较实验组和对照组神经分布密度差异,采用配对t检验比较皱襞游离缘和基底部之间神经密度的差异。结果 （1）膝关节髌内侧滑膜皱襞中存在神经纤维的分布：神经结构主要呈游离神经纤维、神经纤维束、血管周围神经网络三种主要的形态存在,走行与血管相伴,主要分布于血管周围区域。（2）实验组PGP9.5阳性纤维密度（纤维/cm2）：滑膜皱襞游离缘为（190.17±91.66）,基底部为（334.39±115.68）;SP染色阳性纤维密度在游离缘为（153.63±100.73）,基底部为（282.95±126.10）。对照组PGP9.5阳性纤维密度为（37.65±22.91）;SP阳性纤维密度为（23.23±18.41）。两种神经染色方法均证实：（1）MPS组患者髌内侧滑膜皱襞中阳性纤维密度与对照组间的差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;（2）病理性髌内侧滑膜皱襞基底部阳性纤维密度明显高于游离缘（P〈0.01）。结论 膝关节髌内侧滑膜皱襞中存在神经纤维的分布,在引起髌股关节疼痛的病理性髌内侧滑膜皱襞中神经纤维分布明显增多,其分布规律为：皱襞基底部的神经纤维数明显高于游离缘;表达与疼痛的产生和传导密切相关的P物质染色阳性的感觉神经纤维明显增多提示髌内侧滑膜皱襞基底部区域是产生髌股关节疼痛的高危区域。     

The accuracy of joint line tenderness by physical examination in the diagnosis of meniscal tears

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document the accuracy of joint line tenderness in the diagnosis of meniscal tears. Type of Study: Prospective cohort study. Methods: There were 104 male recruits (age range, 18 to 20 years; mean, 19.2 years) with suspected meniscal lesions who underwent arthroscopy. A thorough history and physical examination was performed on each patient by a physician with 4 years’ experience on arthroscopic knee surgery. Twenty-six (25%) patients sustained injuries while in the Turkish Army, and 78 patients (75%) sustained injuries before they came to the army. On physical examination, assessment of joint line tenderness at the lateral and medial joint lines was performed with the patient’s knee flexed 90°. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of joint line tenderness for medial and lateral sides were calculated based on arthroscopic findings. Results: In 104 knees, the diagnosis was correct in 71 (68%) and incorrect in 33 (32%) knees. A total of 37 medial meniscal tears and 27 lateral meniscal tears were identified at arthroscopy. Other pathology included 11 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, 5 medial femoral chondral lesions, 4 chondromalacia patellae, and 1 medial plica. No discernable abnormalities were seen in 21 knees. A preoperative diagnosis of a medial meniscal tear was made in 54 knees and 32 were confirmed at arthroscopy. A lateral meniscus tear was suspected in 27 knees and confirmed in 25. Five medial meniscus and 2 lateral meniscus tears were seen at arthroscopy. These had not been suspected with tenderness over the joint line. The accuracy of the test was lower with the presence of ACL lesions and condromalacia patella. Conclusions: I concluded that joint line tenderness as a test for lateral meniscal tears is accurate (96%), sensitive (89%), and specific (97%). However, for medial meniscal tears, rates are lower.     

膝关节内侧滑膜皱襞综合征的关节镜诊治

目的探讨膝关节内侧滑膜皱襞综合征的临床诊断、关节镜诊断及疗效。方法回顾分析1996年1月～2007年12月收治的420例诊断为膝关节痛或半月板损伤或滑膜皱襞综合征的患者,其中有70例内侧滑膜皱襞综合征患者。按Sakakibara法分析其关节镜下形态,在镜视下行皱襞切除术、挛缩内侧支持带松解术,随访分析其疗效。结果70例内侧滑膜皱襞综合征中,镜下A型8例,B型13例,C型24例,D型25例。经镜下行皱襞切除,获得随访43例,随访时间为6个月～5年,平均32个月,按Lysholm法进行疗效评定,优良率90.7%。结论关节镜仍是该病确诊的"金标准",镜下彻底切除滑膜皱襞、松解挛缩内侧支持带是治疗该病有效的方法。     

Arthroscopic studies of variants of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus

The objective of this study was to arthroscopically analyse the morphology and dynamics of variants of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus of the knee (VAMM) and to then consider the pathological significance of these variants. VAMM was defined as knees in which the anterior horn of the medial meniscus is not attached to the tibia. Between April 1992 and March 1995, arthroscopy was performed on 953 knees of 903 patients. At the time of this examination, observation and probing were performed to determine the condition of the synovium, the synovial plica, the cartilage in all compartments, the meniscus, the cruciate ligaments, and the popliteal tendon. In particular, detailed examination was made of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus with regard to the point of insertion to the tibia and the degree of movement in knee flexion/ extension. Cases of VAMM diagnosed on the basis of the arthroscopic findings were classified into the following four categories: the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the ACL; the transverse ligament type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the transverse ligament; the coronary ligament type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the coronary ligament; and the infrapatellar fold type, where the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was attached to the infrapatellar synovial fold. These patients were then analyzed with regard to the arthroscopic findings and the intra-articular lesions other than VAMM. In 98 (10.9%) of the total patients, 103 knees were classified as VAMM. Classification of those 103 knees using the above criteria showed 39 ACL type knees, 51 transverse ligament type knees, 11 coronary ligament type knees, and 2 infrapatellar fold type knees. The arthroscopic findings indicated that the anterior horn of the medial meniscus was not attached directly to the tibia in any of these knees. Probing and flexion/extension of the knee revealed hypermobility at the anterior horn of the medial meniscus. In this study, anterior knee pain syndrome was diagnosed in 12 (11.7%) of the 103 VAMM knees. In addition, there was no clear history of trauma in 20 of 23 knees found to have an isolated medial meniscus tear. In these cases, even detailed arthroscopic observation proved the causes of the symptoms or injury. On the basis of these findings, we surmised that the anterior portion shows hypermobility at the time of flexion/extension of the knee, regardless of the type of VAMM. In this study, we discussed the possibility that the existence of VAMM may become the cause of pain or injury to the meniscus.     

Arthroscopic resection of the shelf (mediopatellar plica) in the knee under local anesthesia in outpatient clinic.

Forty-two knees with symptomatic mediopatellar plicae (shelves) were managed using the operative method under local anesthesia. Of these, thirty-one knees had isolated mediopatellar plicae, and eleven had other associated intra-articular pathologic condition, such as meniscal tear, lateral patellar tracking, osteochondritis dissecans, and minor osteoarthritic changes. The clinical results were excellent or good in thirty-seven (88%) patients, fair in five patients after an average follow-up of twenty-five months. No case showed deterioration after surgery. Because there are no definitive criteria for the indication of shelf resection, arthroscopic resection of the shelf under local anesthesia is recommended if there is any possibility of it being the cause of knee pain.     

Segmental arthroscopic resection of the hypertrophic mediopatellar plica

In a retrospective review of 64 knees (58 patients) treated during a 36-month period by segmental arthroscopic resection of a hypertrophic mediopatellar plica, each patient was questioned and/or examined a minimum of one year after surgery. Medial or retropatellar pain (95%), buckling (32%), swelling (25%), and snapping (16%) were symptoms associated with a hypertrophic mediopatellar plica. Findings during physical examination of medial and retropatellar tenderness (74%) suggest the presence of the condition. Thirty percent of knees had localized chondromalacia of the medial femoral condyle, while in 13% chondromalacia was localized to the medial patellar facet. Good to excellent results were obtained in 86% of knees with a hypertrophic mediopatellar plica, with or without localized chondromalacia. In patients who had associated conditions, the lesions were also treated arthroscopically; good to excellent results were obtained in 69% of these knees.     

Arthroscopic anatomy of the infrapatellar plica

The infrapatellar plicae, ligamentum mucosum, were examined by arthroscopy in 200 knees. They were classified into five patterns according to the characteristics of the morphologic findings: separate type in 121 cases (60.5%), split type in 27 cases (13.5%), vertical septum type in 21 cases (10.5%), and fenestra type in 2 cases (1.0%). The remaining 29 cases (14.5%) did not have any infrapatellar plica, which were defined as absent type. Hence, the incidence of the infrapatellar plica was 85.5% of the 200 knees examined. There was no significant difference between right and left knees in the distribution pattern of the plica types. The incidence of the intrapatellar plicae decreased as the age increased. Both knees showed the same pattern in the 9 of 16 cases in which a bilateral comparison of the infrapatellar plicae was made.     

The medial plica: a clinical perspective

It has been nearly a century that medical community is discussing the existence of plica as a cause of knee pain. Still consensus has not been achieved over the management of this condition. Plicae are normal synovial infolds of the joint capsule, considered to be vestigial in nature, but can become symptomatic. We often get patients specially young and active adults with anteromedial pain of knee joint in our clinic. Injury to knee joint frequently precedes the development of symptoms, but regular overuse and chronic synovitis can also lead to pathological medial plica. Various etiological factors convert the normal elastic nature of medial plica to thick fibrous structure. This fibrotic band causes mechanical irritation and is also responsible for focal secondary chondromalacia. Clinical evaluation, history, and thorough examination of knee joint are necessary to establish the diagnosis and exclude other related pathological conditions. Various provocative tests that reproduce patient’s symptoms and a system to diagnose medial plica syndrome based on history and clinical examination have been described in literature. Newer imaging techniques, which are less hazardous and noninvasive, like dynamic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, are emerging as useful tools in diagnosing medial plica syndrome. Arthroscopy is the gold standard modality in diagnosing as well as treating the condition. It offers surgeons to inspect whole joint and assess personality of plica and resection in same session. Conservative therapy has a place in the management but arthroscopic complete excision of pathological medial plica provides excellent results.     

髌内侧滑膜皱襞中表达P物质的神经分布与髌股关节痛的相关性

目的 研究病理件髌内侧滑膜皱襞中神经解剖结构变化.证实表达P物质的神经纤维分布增多足病理性髌内侧滑膜皱襞引起髌股关节痛的结构基础.方法 通过膝关节镜获取滑膜皱襞标本,采用免疫组化半定量分析方法观察P物质在膝关节髌内侧滑膜皱襞中的分布规律、变化趋势,比较空白对照组(无症状的滑膜皱襞)、阳性对照组(有症状的滑膜皱襞合并其他损伤)、实验组(有症状的滑膜皱襞)共51例患者髌内侧滑膜皱襞中表达P物质的神经纤维分布密度.结果 空白对照组髌上滑膜皱襞P物质染色阳性神经纤维密度为(24.60±26.17)根/cm2;阳性对照组为(117.36±73.62)根/cm2,实验组为(59.06±44.06)根/cm2.实验组髌内侧滑膜皱襞P物质染色阳性神经纤维密度为(255.44±87.91)根/cm2,阳性对照组为(268.00±71.60)根/cm2,空白对照组为(23.23±18.41)根/cm2.髌内侧滑膜皱襞神经纤维密度高于髌上滑膜皱襞.实验组与阳性对照组髌内侧滑膜皱襞中P物质染色阳性神经纤维密度均高于空白对照组,阳性对照组高于实验组.P物质神经纤维分布密度与VAS疼痛评分呈正相关.结论 病理性髌内侧滑膜皱襞中表达P物质的神经纤维分布密度与患者疼痛程度呈正相关.病理性髌内侧滑膜铍襞中表达P物质的伤害性疼痛感觉神经纤维是疼痛发生的重要神经病理学基础,是髌内侧滑膜皱襞综合征发病机制中的重要环节.     

The plica syndrome.

The plica syndrome is an uncommon pathologic entity diagnosed far too often in the setting of concomitant pathology. Medial patellar pain is more likely to be related to patellofemoral maltracking than to plica syndrome. Likewise, anteromedial joint line tenderness is more likely to be related to a meniscal tear than to a pathological plica. An accurate history and physical examination aided by appropriate ancillary tests to confirm the diagnosis are essential to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment. Conservative measures are very effective and must be emphasized before any operative procedure. When arthroscopy is indicated, a thorough examination of the entire knee joint is necessary. A plica may or may not be present. When a pathological plica is found, excision is rewarded with excellent results. Unfortunately, many normal plicae are removed simply because they are present and not because they are symptomatic or pathologic. This leads to persistent symptoms because of misdiagnosis, as well as possible complications secondary to the operation.     

Atraumatic, symptomatic ankle plica successfully treated by arthroscopic debridement: a case report

Synovial plicae, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, are increasingly being diagnosed with the expansion of arthroscopic procedures in synovial joints. Ankle plicae, however, remain an uncommon diagnosis and have previously only been reported as symptomatic in the post-traumatic ankle. Here the authors present a case report of an atraumatic, symptomatic ankle plica successfully treated with arthroscopic debridement.     

Arthroscopic excision of symptomatic medial plica: A study of 118 knees with 1 -4 year follow-up

We retrospectively reviewed 93 patients (118 knees) treated by arthroscopic excision of painful medial plica. A scoring scale 0-100 was used to evaluate the symptoms. After an average of 2 (1-4) years, 109 of 118 knees had little, if any, pain and the average improvement in the score was 41 points. Thus arthroscopic excision of a painful medial plica can provide lasting and satisfactory relief of symptoms.     

Anatomy of the medial suprapatellar plica and medial synovial shelf

The anatomy of the medial suprapatellar plica and medial synovial shelf was studied arthroscopically in 500 knees. The medical suprapatellar plica extended up to one third of the way across the suprapatellar pouch in 64.2% of knees, between one and two thirds in 4%, and two thirds or more in 31.6%. The medial synovial shelf was absent or vestigial in 36% of knees and broader than 1 cm in 13.2%. When both knees were examined arthroscopically, the similarity between the appearances of the plica and the shelf in the two knees was statistically significant. No relationship between age and the pattern of plica or shelf could be found. There was no association between large plicae and large shelves, but the shelf was absent significantly more often in knees with a narrow plica.