Medial plica shelf test

What is the "Medial plica shelf test" used for?

• Used for the presence of Plica Syndrome of the knee.

How to perform the "Medial plica shelf test"?

• The patient lies in the supine position on the bed, with the knee supported in about 30 degrees of flexion by either a bolster or the clinician's thigh.
• The clinician places both thumbs together at the lateral aspect of the patella and pushes the patella medially.

What is the positive result?

• If a painful click is elicited during this test, there is likely to be a symptomatic mediopatellar synovial plica.

References

• Clinical Tests for the Musculoskeletal System 3rd Edition.
• Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation, And Intervention 3rd Edition.