Popliteus Tendinopathy

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Original Editors - Leen Vandereycken

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Search Strategy

Search Engines:

• PubMed
• Web of Knowledge
• http://scholar.google.be/

Key Words:

• Popliteus tendinitis
• Tendon popliteus / poplitea
• Popliteus tendon tenosynovitis
  

Definition/Description

Theoretically speaking, popliteus tendinitis, also known as popliteus tendon tenosynovitis is a gap in the tendon of the popliteus. Popliteus is quite an uncommon pathology which often occurs in athletes and people with a history of other knee ligament injuries after trauma. It is a relatively unusual condition in non-athletes without a history of knee traumas.

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

The popliteus muscle’s function is endo-rotation the lower part of your leg when walking, as also it is a very crucial part for the stabilisation of the knee. The popliteus muscle provides forward stabilisation, as also the stabilisation of the retraction of the backside of the knee joint and the lateral meniscus during the flexion of the knee.

Epidemiology /Etiology

Common causes of posterolateral knee joint injury, such as popliteus tendinitis, are either a direct varus force, while the tibia is externally rotated, or a sudden forced knee hyperextension with the tibia internally rotated.

Characteristics/Symptoms

Symptoms of popliteus tendinitis are inflammation, pain, swelling, or even tenderness outside of your knee. If the patient continues to load its knee, symptoms will worsen and scar tissue can form, which makes physical activity to be extra painful.

Differential Diagnosis

The diagnosis should be largely established with a careful history and physical examination. Usually patients have symptoms that include tenderness along the course of the proximal popliteus tendon and pain with resisted external rotation.

Outcome Measures

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Examination

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Treatment

The treatment for popliteus tendinitis includes rest, cold compresses, elevation, an elastic wrap, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain. Additional treatment for popliteus tendinitis may include oral corticosteroids or corticosteroid injections.[4]

Physical Therapy Management

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Resources

[1] Mark T. Pfefer, RN, MS, DC,a Stephan R. Cooper, DC,b and Nathan L. Uhl, DCc
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Chiropractic Management of Tendinopathy January 2009

[2] http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec21/ch324/ch324o.html

[3] Diagnosis and Management
Timothy S. Petsche, MD; F. Harlan Selesnick, MD

[4] http://www.freemd.com/tendinitis-of-the-popliteus-tendon/treatment.htm

[5] Popliteus tendinitis, a new perspective
Murray E. Allen; Gary Ray
Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal

[6] http://www.itendonitis.com/popliteus-tendonitis.html

[7] Lateral Stabilizing Structures of the Knee: Functional Anatomy and Injuries Assessed

Clinical Bottom Line

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

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