Patellar synovial fold syndrome is a condition in which a diaphragm present in early fetal life becomes a synovial fold if it does not disappear by adulthood, with a subpatellar synovial fold being the most common.
When the synovial fold becomes inflamed or traumatized, the elastic tissue of the synovial membrane is replaced by fibrous tissue, creating a mechanical irritation of the femoral condyle, leading to erosion of the femoral condylar cartilage and chondromalacia of the patella, which in turn leads to the clinical syndrome.
The synovial folds are mainly composed of elastic and lax tissue. In traumatic synovitis caused by heavy exercise and use of the knee, or intra-articular disturbances of the knee, the synovial folds, which have lost their elasticity, form a mechanical irritation of the femoral condyles.
Early inflammation is confined to the synovial bursa at the edge of the femoral condyle; in severe cases, an erosion of the cartilage of the femoral condyle develops. Thickened suprapatellar synovial folds also cause chondromalacia of the patella.
Patients appear knee pain, joint effusion, knee joint activities on the inner side of the popping with pain, walking weakness, the pain site is often in the patellofemoral joint of the upper and medial interspace, after sitting for a long time, the pain is obvious. It is recommended that patients go to regular hospitals for treatment in time according to their own symptoms.