Your friendly Chiropractor in Chandler AZ, Dr. Dan Rae, is back at the computer during the lunch hour try and crunch out the article on Popliteus Tendinitis. You are probably thinking to yourself, “What is this guy talking about. I have never heard of Popliteus Tendinitis.” Well, it is a lot more common than you think.
The popliteus muscles acts an an internal rotator (rotates the knee inward) when the knee is non-weight bearing. Furthermore, it plays a very important role in supporting the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), preventing the femur from sliding forward over the tibia as well as preventing varus angulation (inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint). The popliteus muscles also pulls the posterior lateral meniscus backwards during knee flexion.
These patients generally come into my clinic complaining of symptoms almost identical to Iliotibial Band Syndrome, which is pain on the outer portion of the knee after running or walking downhill. Many times this injury is confused with Iliotibial Band Syndrome, and the patient does not get better because he/she is being treated for the wrong injury.
Rest and ice is needed in the initial stage of the injury; however, they are quickly replaced by myofascial release techniques Active Release Technique (ART) and Graston Technique to prevent scar tissue formation and chronic shortening of the muscle. Orthotics have also been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of this injury.
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