Popliteus Tendon | Popliteus Tendonitis

The popliteus is a small muscle at the back of the knee that connects the femur to the tibia. It has several actions that you can read about in our related article: Popliteus Anatomy and Action. Its main action is to unlock the knee allowing it to bend from a straight position. It also has a major role to stabilise the knee, so much so that it is sometimes referred to as the fifth major ligament of the knee (LaPrade et al, 2010).

Popliteus Tendonitis

The popliteus has two tendons, like most muscles, that attaches the muscle to the bone at each end. One at the superolateral end attaching to the femur, and one at the inferior medial end attaching to the tibia. Injury to the tendon can be referred to as popliteus tendonitis, tendinopathy or popliteus tendon tenosynovitis. Each term has a slight difference in technical meaning, with tenosynovitis generally agreed as the most accurate to describe the pathology at the popliteus. A tenosynovitis is specifically the inflammation of the tendon sheath rather than the tendon itself. With the popliteus tendon. Popliteus tendosynovitis is a rare condition that is rarely seen in the general population. It is seen in athletes and those who have had a significant traumatic injury to the knee affecting the ligaments of the knee (Blake & Treble, 2005).

Popliteus Tendon Injury Recovery | Popliteus Stretch

Recovery from popliteus injuries relies firstly on an accurate diagnosis. Once the specific pathology has been identified a recovery plan can be implemented. In most cases a period of rest will be needed, the use of ice and non-steroidal antiinflammatories is often advised to manage pain, and a brace may be recommended if there is instability of the knee. In most cases of popliteus injury range of movement will be restricted so once the pain is well-managed mobility and stretching can be helpful. Stretches for the calf and hamstring are helpful and will also stretch the popliteus muscle. A slight external rotation of the lower leg can be added to the calf stretch to try to isolate the popliteus further. These stretches should be pain-free, they can be held for 45seconds and repeated throughout the day, every 2-3 hours.

Popliteus Tendon Injury Recovery | Strengthening

Strengthening exercises for the hamstrings and calf muscles are essential for recovery from a popliteus tendon injury. Once the pain has settled and is well managed, a strengthening program can be started. In some cases, specific strengthening is needed for the popliteus also, but in most cases, this will be worked with exercises for the hamstring and calf, and with balance and proprioception exercises. These strengthening exercises can be done for 8-12 repeats, for 3 sets, on alternate days. The balance exercise can be done daily for 1-2 minutes, for 2-3 sets.

Physiotherapy with James McCormack

This is not medical advice. We recommend a consultation with a medical professional such as James McCormack and he offers Online Physiotherapy Appointments.

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