Suprapatellar Plica Test:

The suprapatellar plica is a fold of tissue over both the anteromedial and anterolateral aspects of the knee. The genu articularis muscle, as part of the quadriceps mechanism, attaches to the plica and has some dynamic interaction with it. While not a lot is known about the function of the plica in the normal knee, it is a common source of pain in a patient with patellofemoral joint dysfunction. Assessment of plical tenderness is performed by the suprapatellar plical snap test. In this test, the patient's knee is kept out in full extension while the examiner's finger rolls over the plica at a point about 2 cm medial to the medial border of the patella. In the extended knee, the plica forms a fold of tissue which can be rolled under one's fingers. It is important for the examiner to differentiate with the patient whether the pain they are creating is the source of their knee pain, as some people will note that rolling over and palpating this plica can be mildly painful in an asymptomatic knee.