Knee > Plica Syndrome > Treatments

   Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Home Recovery

In addition to rest and ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can be used to reduce pain and inflammation caused by plica syndrome. It is important to follow the directions on the bottle when taking anti-inflammatories. Excessive of these medicines can cause ulcers, kidney problems, liver problems, and bleeding problems. You may want to contact your physician prior to starting.

The most important component of rehabilitation for sufferers of plica syndrome is relative rest. This means modifying your workouts to avoid the activities that cause pain. For example, instead of riding a bike or running, you could swim or rollerblade instead. Or, if your pain is not severe, you could reduce the intensity of your workout ­ for example, using less resistance when you ride, or eliminating hills from a running workout. Depending on how serious you are about the relative rest and physical therapy, you may be able to return to a normal level of activity in six to 12 weeks.

While it is always important to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your knees, particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings, these will not by themselves prevent plica syndrome, which is primarily caused by overuse. However, you may be able to reduce your chances of recurring plica syndrome by avoiding a sudden increase in activities that require repetitive motion that irritate the plicae, such as cycling or using a stair-climbing machine, and instead, easing into a routine.