Thirteen-Year Clinical Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Resection of Symptomatic Mediopatellar Plica with Cartilage...

This study aimed to evaluate the 13-year clinical and functional outcomes of arthroscopic removal of symptomatic mediopatellar plica (MPP) in patients with cartilage degeneration.

Seventy-six patients who underwent arthroscopic MPP excision between 2005 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. After exclusions and loss to follow-up, 42 patients with a mean age of 51.2±12.1 years were evaluated at a mean of 14 years postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at baseline, 6 months, and final follow-up. Symptoms, plica types, and coexisting intra-articular pathologies were also recorded.

A total of 42 patients with a mean age of 51.2±12.1 years were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 14.0±0.79 years. Significant improvements in pain and function were observed at 6 months and at final follow-up (p<0.05). At 6 months, 97.6% of patients rated their outcome as good or excellent according to WOMAC scores, and 92.9% maintained this rating at final follow-up. Improvements were consistent regardless of the presence of additional intra-articular pathology. No patient reported worsening of symptoms during follow-up. Cartilage degeneration was observed in all cases, predominantly in the medial femoral condyle and medial pole of the patella.

Arthroscopic excision of symptomatic MPP associated with cartilage degeneration provides durable clinical benefits lasting more than a decade. The sustained improvement in pain and function supports arthroscopic plica resection as an effective treatment option when conservative therapies fail, even in patients with coexisting joint pathology.