The posterolateral recess of the knee joint is the posterior extension of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment synovium, lying between the lateral femoral condyle, the posterior lateral capsule, and the proximal tibia and fibular head. The popliteus tendon runs through this recess in its intra-articular course from the lateral femoral condyle, and the superior lateral geniculate vessels run adjacent to its borders.
| Location | Posterolateral knee, around the popliteus tendon behind the lateral meniscus (subpopliteal recess) |
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Lets the popliteus tendon glide inside the joint. In some people it connects with the proximal tibiofibular joint, so fluid or cysts can pass between the two.
The posterolateral knee recess is accessed via the posteromedial portal during knee arthroscopy, allowing direct visualisation of the posterior cruciate ligament, posterior meniscal roots, and the popliteus tendon in its intraarticular course. Synovial folds and plica in this recess can cause posterolateral impingement. Cystic lesions arising from the posterolateral recess, including popliteal cysts from posterolateral compartment pressure and posterolateral ganglion cysts, produce posterolateral knee pain and are assessed by posterior knee ultrasound or MRI.
Ganglion or synovial cysts arising from the posterolateral knee recess produce a palpable posterolateral knee mass, often associated with lateral meniscal pathology or posterolateral corner injury, managed by arthroscopic assessment of the feeding joint pathology and cyst decompression.
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