Lateral Patellar Plica

plica synovialis lateralis patellae

The lateral patellar plica is a synovial fold on the lateral aspect of the knee joint, less commonly symptomatic than the medial plica. When thickened, it may impinge between the lateral patellar facet and the lateral femoral condyle, producing lateral knee pain mimicking lateral meniscal or iliotibial band pathology.

Anatomical Data

Boundaries & Contents

Location	Lateral side of the knee joint, along the lateral wall of the joint next to the lateral edge of the patella
Boundaries	Arises from the lateral synovial wall of the joint Runs along the lateral border of the patella toward the infrapatellar fat pad

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

A rare embryological remnant of synovial membrane with no important mechanical role. It may cause lateral knee pain if it becomes thickened and impinges on the lateral femoral condyle.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Lateral plica syndrome is less common than medial plica syndrome but should be considered in athletes with lateral knee pain and a snapping sensation that does not respond to ITB treatment. Arthroscopic assessment of the lateral compartment directly visualises the plica. Resection is effective when the plica is fibrotic and impinging. It is distinguished from ITB syndrome by its joint-line level symptoms rather than the distal femoral epicondyle level.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Lateral Plica Syndrome

Lateral knee pain and snapping from fibrotic lateral patellar plica impingement, mimicking ITB syndrome but localising to the joint line rather than the lateral femoral epicondyle, treated by arthroscopic resection.

Explore

More in Knee

Browse all of Knee →