The severity of plica syndrome can be categorised as follows:

• Mild: intermittent discomfort or a clicking sensation in the knee during certain movements. The pain and discomfort may be mild and may not significantly impair daily activities or mobility.
• Moderate: frequent or persistent pain and discomfort, as well as swelling or stiffness in the knee joint. The condition may impair mobility and hinder an individual’s participation in certain activities.
• Severe: significant pain and disability, including persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty with knee movements. The condition may significantly impair an individual’s daily activities and require medical intervention, such as physiotherapy or surgery.

• Overuse: repetitive movements such as bending and extending the knee joint.‍
• Injury: high-impact trauma such as a car accident or a blow to the knee. ‍
• Health conditions: underlying health conditions such as hemarthrosis secondary to haemophilia, intra-articular lesions, loose foreign bodies, and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to plica syndrome. 

• A “pop” or “snap” sensation in the knee during certain movements
• Pain and discomfort in front of the knee
• Swelling and stiffness in the affected knee joint
• Impaired range of motion
• Tenderness and sensitivity in the affected area
• Instability and weakness in the affected knee

Pain levels vary depending on the severity of the condition. Pain levels can be aggravated through repetitive knee-related activities such as squatting or walking up the stairs causing the plica to rub against other structures in the knee joint causing further discomfort.

• Athletes: cyclists and runners who execute repetitive knee movements are more prone to developing plica syndrome.
• Congenital factors: individuals born with larger or more prominent plicas are at higher risk to develop plica syndrome.
• Health conditions: individuals with hemarthrosis secondary to haemophilia, intra-articular lesions, loose foreign bodies, and rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk of developing plica syndrome. 

Diagnosis of plica syndrome occurs in the following ways:

• Physical examination and medical history: inform your orthopaedist of the potential activities that may have led to an injury such as trauma, exercise, or sports and underlying health conditions that are plausible causes of plica syndrome. The knee will be particularly investigated for a palpable taut band in the middle of the knee. Physical tests such as the Stutter test and the Hughston test would be administered to confirm the diagnosis. 

• Imaging tests: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or dynamic ultrasonography will provide clarity if medial plica is present. These imaging tests also work to rule out other knee problems.

Below are the treatment options for plica syndrome:

• Rest: you would be advised to observe complete rest to relieve pain and reduce inflammation of the plica.
• Medications: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and painkillers are commonly prescribed as the first course of treatment to reduce inflammation and manage pain.
• Injections: corticosteroid injections may be administered to reduce inflammation and provide immediate relief. 
• Brace: to reduce movement of the knee and manage inflammation and pain. 
• Crutches: to limit placing weight on the affected knee.
• Surgery: knee arthroscopy will be conducted to view the condition of the knee joint and subsequently a plica resection would be administered to remove abnormal synovial tissue.