title: Mediopatellar synovial plica of the knee in athletes: results of arthroscopic treatment.
abstract: The long-term results (9-87 months) of the arthroscopic treatment of unilateral mediopatellar synovial plica of the knee in 102 athletes are reported. In all patients a large and/or fibrotic inflamed mediopatellar plica impinging on the femoral condyle on knee flexion was identified and trimmed. Chondromalacia patellae was detected in 38 patients. The impingement lesion was seen in 13 knees. In one patient, a minor tear of the lateral meniscus was trimmed, and one patient was found to suffer from a clinically asymptomatic partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. Isometric strength testing of the quadriceps revealed marked decrease at the second postoperative week, with subsequent gradual recovery. The results obtained justify arthroscopic treatment in a young, extremely active population.
authors.affiliation: First Institute of Orthopaedics, University of Naples, First Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capasso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D010329:Patella / Q000601:surgery*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013997:Time Factors