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Popliteal Tendonitis, Sports Medicine

Laura Lintner, DO, CAQSM and Joshua Dilley, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • The popliteus muscle originates at the lateral condyle and travels underneath the biceps femoris tendon and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). It inserts on the posteromedial surface...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Commonly presents with lateral knee pain when the knee is partially flexed 15 to 30 degrees while weight-bearing or when sitting cross legged

  • Severe lateral knee pain accompanied by sw...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treatment plan for isolated popliteal tendon rupture has not been formalized 3[C].

  • Usually conservative with ice, rest, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for p...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Treatment plan has not been formalized for isolated popliteal tendonitis 3.

  • Consider follow-up after initial 6-wk conservative management for overuse popliteal ten...

REFERENCES

1
Jadhav SP, More SR, Riascos RF, et al. Comprehensive review of the anatomy, function, and imaging of the popliteus and associated pathologic conditions. Radiographics.  2014;34(2):496...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Petsche TS, Selesnick FH. Popliteus tendinitis: tips for diagnosis and management. Phys Sportsmed.  2002;30(8):27–31.

  • Tennent TD, Goradia VK. Arthroscopic management of calcific...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Popliteal tendonitis is a rare cause of posterolateral knee pain most likely to occur in long distance runners or hikers (especially after significant downhill activity).

  • In the case of...

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