Bucket handle tear of medial plica.

A case of locking of the knee due to a 'bucket handle tear' of the medial plica is described. The sign of clunking could be relieved by pushing the patella medially, so reducing the plica from the trochlea into the medial gutter. Arthroscopic resection cured the condition. There may be association with patellar instability, possibly the lesion is more common than previously recognised. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.