Take care of your knees! The knee joint sends these signals, beware of synovial folds

The patient, Ms. Wang, came to the Department of Orthopedics III (Joint Surgery) of Hunan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) for treatment due to left knee pain for one year. After examination, she was diagnosed with left knee osteoarthritis with synovial plica syndrome .

In order to minimize trauma and speed up recovery, Su Xinping and Luo Haien's joint surgery team from Hunan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) developed a surgical plan for arthroscopic synovial membrane cleaning for the patient.

The operation was very successful. After the operation, through the combination of Chinese and Western medicine, the patient's joints could move on their own after recovering from anesthesia, avoiding complications caused by long-term bed rest.

The joint surgery team of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) has successfully performed many arthroscopic knee synovial plica resections.

The synovial folds of the knee, as a normal anatomical structure in the knee joint, usually form folds on the inner or outer side of the knee joint. These folds play an important role in cushioning and protecting the knee joint during movement.

However, in some cases, synovial plicae may cause pain or discomfort, especially in athletes or people who frequently move their knees.

1. What is the synovial plica of the knee?

The formation of knee synovial folds is closely related to the movement and load of the knee joint. During the embryonic period, there are synovial septa in the knee joint, which begin to degenerate in the late fetal period and form knee synovial folds in adulthood.

These folds are soft and smooth under normal circumstances, but when the knee joint is overused or injured, the synovial folds may become thickened and even inflamed, causing joint pain, swelling, and limited movement.

2. What are the symptoms of synovial plica of the knee?

Typical symptoms of plica syndrome of the knee include pain, swelling, popping, and locking of the joint. Patients may find it difficult to squat, walk, or go up and down stairs.

During the physical examination, the doctor will press around the knee joint to check for tenderness, swelling, and effusion. The doctor will also perform special examinations such as McBurney sign and drawer test to determine the stability and injury of the joint.

3. How to diagnose synovial plica of the knee?

The diagnosis of synovial plica syndrome of the knee requires the comprehensive use of multiple examination methods.

Imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound of the joint, can help doctors confirm the presence of synovial plicae and their effect on knee function. MRI can provide detailed information about soft tissue injuries or masses, which can help diagnose synovial plicae syndrome.

Arthroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis. Under local anesthesia, the doctor can insert a tiny camera and tools into the knee joint to directly observe the shape, size, position, and presence of inflammation and damage of the synovial folds.

4. How to treat synovial plica of the knee by combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine?

Treatment of synovial plica syndrome of the knee includes conservative treatment and surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment mainly includes rest, local physical therapy, blockade, oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, and strengthening quadriceps muscle function exercises.

In terms of traditional Chinese medicine treatment , acupuncture, massage and external application of Chinese medicine are also widely used in the treatment of knee synovial plica syndrome. Acupuncture can regulate qi and blood, massage can relax muscles, and external application of Chinese medicine can reduce swelling and relieve pain.

For patients who are ineffective with conservative treatment or whose symptoms seriously affect their quality of life, surgical treatment can be considered. Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical method that can clearly observe the internal structure of the joint and perform diagnosis and treatment.

Doctors can accurately remove abnormal synovial tissue under arthroscopy to relieve pressure and irritation on surrounding structures, thereby relieving pain, reducing symptoms such as effusion, and promoting recovery of joint function.

5. What are some tips for preventing synovial plica of the knee?

According to TCM theory, the occurrence of knee synovitis is closely related to the dysfunction of the liver, spleen, and kidney. Therefore, to prevent the occurrence of knee synovial plica syndrome, we can take the following preventive measures from the perspective of TCM:

1. Maintain a proper weight : Through a reasonable diet and moderate exercise, keep your weight within a reasonable range to reduce the burden on the knee joints.

2. Moderate exercise: Choose the exercise method and intensity that suits you, and avoid long-term, high-intensity exercise that may damage the knee joint. At the same time, pay attention to warm-up and stretching before and after exercise.

3. Keep warm: Avoid exposing the knee joint to cold and humid environment for a long time. Moderate massage and hot compress can improve blood circulation around the joint and promote the repair and regeneration of synovial tissue.

Luo Hain, director of the Department of Orthopaedics at the Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine) , reminds that patients with synovial plica syndrome of the knee should be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

If you experience knee pain, swelling, or other symptoms, you should seek medical attention promptly to get professional evaluation and treatment. In addition, it is also very important to have regular checkups to monitor changes in your condition. At the same time, you should take a rest and avoid strenuous exercise to avoid affecting your recovery process after surgery.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Zhang Daowei, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology III (Joint Surgery), Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

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(Edited by ZS)