Background: I have had pain in my right knee since July last year. X-rays show good space. MRI doesn’t show any major damage to the cartilage or any meniscus tears.
Current diagnosis: Best guess is a plica fold that is getting pinched, causing the pain.
Plan: arthroscopic surgery to remove the plica and “clean up” anything else that is seen (which I guess means the surgeon could smooth out any rough bits of cartilage). The won’t be doing anything major like a meniscus repair, micro fracture, etc..
Questions: There seem to be uncertainty about whether or not a plica fold can cause pain. But, as conservative treatments have failed to reduce my pain, I am tempted to try the operation. That said, I understand that every operation has the potential both to improve and worsen the problem it aims to address. So, I am wondering: what is the probability that a plica excision would worsen my symptoms permanently? And, less importantly, how long will it be before I can resume intense training? I really do not mind if the surgery is unsucessful as long as it doesn’t worsen my symptoms. Any anecdotal stories would also be helpful (both positive and negative).