Medial Plica Diagnosis: Stutter Test
In order to diagnose the medial plica, a physician may opt to perform a mediopatellar stutter test. This test involves the patient lying on their back with their legs extended. The doctor then applies manual force to the patellofemoral joint using their thumb, carefully checking for any signs of tenderness. The next step involves the patient bending their knee to a 90-degree angle while the doctor continues to monitor for any tenderness. If the tenderness diminishes during this movement, the test is considered positive, indicating the presence of an issue with the plica.
Proving Irritation: The Plica Snap Test
The plica snap test is a provocation test that helps determine if there is any irritation present. This test involves the patient lying down with their legs extended and relaxed. The examiner then rolls their fingers over the plica fold, which is a ribbon-like structure in the knee joint. During this motion, the examiner pays close attention to any signs of pain reported by the patient. If the patient experiences pain during the plica snap test, it indicates a positive result, suggesting the presence of irritation.
It is crucial for the examiner to compare the results of the plica snap test with other knee-related tests to confirm that the pain experienced is specifically related to the plica and not a general knee issue.