Cathe Friedrich
Administrator
Hi Everyone! In the last two weeks I have met with my orthopaedic specialist extensively and reviewed my options. We have decided together that based on the pain that I was experiencing, with no concrete answers to explain it (MRI's, Arthrograms, and X-rays showing nothing significant), AND after a resting period of a few months (with physical therapy and cortizone injections to assist the healing process), that it was time to consider arthroscopic exploratory surgery. We also discussed things that we thought could be causing the issue. My doctor's best guess was that I had Plica Syndrome (see bolded definition below) since I had many of the classic symptoms of it plus it is also known to not always show up on MRI's. But obvioulsy he could not say for sure until he had a look inside. Btw, I have learned that Plica Syndrome is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed knee ailments because it shares common symptoms with a few other knee ailments and therefore, never gets dealt with properly until it is discovered. But fortunately, once it has been discovered, it is easily treated.
So last week I had pre-operative lab work completed and yesterday, as you probably have just guessed, I had surgery. I personally wanted to wait until AFTER the surgery to tell you about it so that I could plan and prepare for the surgery privately with my family and because we couldn’t be absolutely sure that anything would be found. Thank you in advance for understanding this.
So here I am, the day after surgery, walking around with a limp, and now at my computer, feeling pretty great, and ready to tell you about all the details thus far.
The Findings: Good news, I indeed had a thick inflammed plica band, along with floating debris in the knee area.
Results of surgery: I will know more specific details to this question when I meet with the doctor next week for my post -operative visit. That's when we will observe my progress and discuss the surgical findings in greater detail. For now, I can tell you that the plica band was removed, as well as some floating debris, which is a result of the trauma to the area (most likely from the kickbox injury since this was when the obvious onset of symptoms began). If recovery goes as typically expected, my doctor is optimistic that I can resume normal activities in 6 to 8 weeks.
Where does this put us for filming? Again, next week I will have more answers. But I think I will have the best answers when I am a little further along in the healing process. For now I am completely assuming that if I am able to return to normal activities in about 6 weeks then I hope to be filming around three weeks beyond that time frame. Again, this is all a guessing game at this point in the recovery process. I will keep you posted as we go along.
One thing I thought was interesting about plica syndrome is that while some individuals may appear to be getting better with rest and then suffer a set back once returning to exercise is because the plica band can thicken to the point of causing everyday interference. Meaning it rubs and pulls as it passes over the knee structures causing the knee to malfunction and in some instances even give out. A movement as subtle as walking can continue the inflammation process and therefore reduce the chances of a full recovery without the intervention of surgery.
I have to say that I am so relieved to have had this surgery. I feel that after three specialists, months of conservative treatments with pain and swelling still knocking at my door, that this was the wisest option to take in the search for answers. I'm thrilled to finally have found the problem at hand.
Well, I hope I have answered any questions you may have had and given you a clearer picture as to my condition. Please feel free to ask me anything additionally if you like. I will answer to the best of my ability.
Thanks for listening, and most importantly, for all of your wonderful cards, stories, experiences, and incredibly warm hearted support. I can't thank you enough.
Cathe
Plica Syndrome Defined:
Plica (pronounced PLI-KAH) syndrome occurs when plicae (bands of remnant synovial tissue) are irritated by injury or overuse. Synovial plicae are remnants of tissue pouches found in the early stages of fetal development. As the fetus develops, these pouches normally combine to form one large synovial cavity. If this process is incomplete, plicae remain as four folds or bands of synovial tissue within the knee.
Injury, chronic overuse, or inflammatory conditions are associated with development of this syndrome. People with this syndrome are likely to experience pain and swelling, a clicking sensation, and locking and weakness of the knee. Because the symptoms are similar to symptoms of some other knee problems (such as meniscal tears), plica syndrome is often misdiagnosed. Diagnosis usually depends on the exclusion of other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Also, an MRI may be done, but it is often not terribly helpful in the diagnostic work-up of plica syndrome.
The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation of the synovium and thickening of the plicae. The doctor usually prescribes medicine such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. The patient is also advised to reduce activity, apply ice and compression wraps (elastic bandage) to the knee, and do strengthening exercises. If this treatment program fails to relieve symptoms within 3 months, the doctor may recommend arthroscopic or open surgery to remove the plicae. A cortisone injection into the region of the plica folds helps about half of the patients treated. The doctor can also use arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis and treat the problem.
So last week I had pre-operative lab work completed and yesterday, as you probably have just guessed, I had surgery. I personally wanted to wait until AFTER the surgery to tell you about it so that I could plan and prepare for the surgery privately with my family and because we couldn’t be absolutely sure that anything would be found. Thank you in advance for understanding this.
So here I am, the day after surgery, walking around with a limp, and now at my computer, feeling pretty great, and ready to tell you about all the details thus far.
The Findings: Good news, I indeed had a thick inflammed plica band, along with floating debris in the knee area.
Results of surgery: I will know more specific details to this question when I meet with the doctor next week for my post -operative visit. That's when we will observe my progress and discuss the surgical findings in greater detail. For now, I can tell you that the plica band was removed, as well as some floating debris, which is a result of the trauma to the area (most likely from the kickbox injury since this was when the obvious onset of symptoms began). If recovery goes as typically expected, my doctor is optimistic that I can resume normal activities in 6 to 8 weeks.
Where does this put us for filming? Again, next week I will have more answers. But I think I will have the best answers when I am a little further along in the healing process. For now I am completely assuming that if I am able to return to normal activities in about 6 weeks then I hope to be filming around three weeks beyond that time frame. Again, this is all a guessing game at this point in the recovery process. I will keep you posted as we go along.
One thing I thought was interesting about plica syndrome is that while some individuals may appear to be getting better with rest and then suffer a set back once returning to exercise is because the plica band can thicken to the point of causing everyday interference. Meaning it rubs and pulls as it passes over the knee structures causing the knee to malfunction and in some instances even give out. A movement as subtle as walking can continue the inflammation process and therefore reduce the chances of a full recovery without the intervention of surgery.
I have to say that I am so relieved to have had this surgery. I feel that after three specialists, months of conservative treatments with pain and swelling still knocking at my door, that this was the wisest option to take in the search for answers. I'm thrilled to finally have found the problem at hand.
Well, I hope I have answered any questions you may have had and given you a clearer picture as to my condition. Please feel free to ask me anything additionally if you like. I will answer to the best of my ability.
Thanks for listening, and most importantly, for all of your wonderful cards, stories, experiences, and incredibly warm hearted support. I can't thank you enough.
Cathe
Plica Syndrome Defined:
Plica (pronounced PLI-KAH) syndrome occurs when plicae (bands of remnant synovial tissue) are irritated by injury or overuse. Synovial plicae are remnants of tissue pouches found in the early stages of fetal development. As the fetus develops, these pouches normally combine to form one large synovial cavity. If this process is incomplete, plicae remain as four folds or bands of synovial tissue within the knee.
Injury, chronic overuse, or inflammatory conditions are associated with development of this syndrome. People with this syndrome are likely to experience pain and swelling, a clicking sensation, and locking and weakness of the knee. Because the symptoms are similar to symptoms of some other knee problems (such as meniscal tears), plica syndrome is often misdiagnosed. Diagnosis usually depends on the exclusion of other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Also, an MRI may be done, but it is often not terribly helpful in the diagnostic work-up of plica syndrome.
The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation of the synovium and thickening of the plicae. The doctor usually prescribes medicine such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. The patient is also advised to reduce activity, apply ice and compression wraps (elastic bandage) to the knee, and do strengthening exercises. If this treatment program fails to relieve symptoms within 3 months, the doctor may recommend arthroscopic or open surgery to remove the plicae. A cortisone injection into the region of the plica folds helps about half of the patients treated. The doctor can also use arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis and treat the problem.
