The popliteus muscle is placed diagonally across the back of the knee joint. This muscle rotates the lower leg and helps in bending the knee. This muscle helps to stabilize the back of the knee joint and is mostly injured while skiing downhill and running long distance.

Causes – The popliteus muscle functions as the internal rotator of the lower leg. Thus rupture of this muscle is generally associated with acute or chronic posterolateral instability of the knee. The isolated rupture of the popliteus tendon musculotendinous unit is very rare. Sometimes the strain occurs by a non -contact external rotational mechanism: a sudden external rotation to a partially flexed knee, forced external rotation with a varus force application in some cases, or a forced external rotation with femur fixed.

Clinical Presentation- Outward rotation of the tibia when bending the knee is noted. Other general symptoms such as muscle swelling, edema or bleeding are often present. Pain over the outer side or back of the knee Painful resisted knee flexion or internal rotation Tenderness over popliteal fossa

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT Initially POLICE Principle (Protection, optimal loading, Rest, Ice, Compression and elevation) is applied. Once pain is reduced, knee mobility exercises and strengthening exercises are started.

The following exercises are done – repeat 10 times , 2 sets

1. Heel slides

2. Prone knee bending

3. Straight leg raise

4. Hamstring stretching – hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

5. Calf muscle stretching - hold the stretch for 30 seconds and repeat 3 times.

6. Isometric quadriceps – hold the contraction for 5 seconds


7. Isometric hamstrings – hold the contraction for 5 seconds

8. Dynamic quadriceps