Meniscal, plica, patellar, and patellofemoral injuries of the knee: updates, controversies and advancements

Abstract

In athletes, meniscus tears and cysts, patellar tendonitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), and plica are common injuries. Meniscus tears are usually best treated by partial meniscectomy. Up to 90% of patients with patellar tendonitis can be successfully treated conservatively with expectation of good results. Nonoperative treatment of PFPS, properly focused on the causative factors, can be expected to be successful in most cases. For plica, most physicians recommend a trial of conservative therapy for at least 6 to 8 weeks, followed perhaps by a steroid injection, and ultimately, if symptoms persist, surgery.