Mediopatellar Plica Test (MPP Test)

Authors
Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Purpose and Mechanics

Test Purpose: The MPP is found on the medial femoral condyle in knee extension and when the inferiormedial patellofemoral joint experiences a manual force, the pathologic MPP is forced between the patella and medial femoral condyle1 .

At 90° of flexion, the the entrapped MPP moves away from the medial condyle and ceases to be TTP1 .

Technique

Patient position

  • Supine with knee extended1

Clinician

  • Apply a manual force to the inf/med patellofrmoal joint via the thumb1
  • Ask about tenderness1

Scoring

Positive

  • (+) Pain / tenderness that diminishes with 90° knee flexion1

Negatives

False Positives

  • Fat pad synovial fringe entrapments1
  • Localized synovitis on the medial peripatellar region1

Psychometrics

Psychometrics of different Plica Syndrome Tests
Test Sens Spec PPV NPV LR+ LR- Accuracy Value
MPP Test 0.8951 0.8871 0.7851 0.9441 0.891

References

1.
Kim SJ, Lee DH, Kim TE. The Relationship Between the MPP Test and Arthroscopically Found Medial Patellar Plica Pathology. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery. 2007;23(12):1303-1308. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2007.06.016

Citation

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