The popliteus tendon is a thin, rope-like tendon arising from the popliteal sulcus on the lateral surface of the lateral femoral condyle and passing posteroinferiorly inside the joint capsule, through the popliteal hiatus of the lateral meniscus, to become the popliteus muscle belly. This intra-articular course is unusual for a tendon. It passes deep to the lateral collateral ligament, is joined by the popliteofibular ligament, and sends popliteomeniscal fascicles to the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, helping to draw the meniscus back during flexion.
| Muscle | |
|---|---|
| Attachment | Popliteal groove on the lateral femoral condyle |
Unlocks the extended knee by laterally rotating the femur on the tibia and stabilises the posterolateral corner
The popliteus tendon is a key component of the posterolateral corner (PLC) of the knee and resists external tibial rotation and posterolateral drawer; it also unlocks the extended knee at the start of flexion. Popliteus tendinopathy produces isolated lateral knee pain at the popliteal sulcus, typically with downhill running, reproduced by resisted internal rotation of the tibia with the knee flexed at 90 degrees (Garrick test), and is distinguished from LCL and lateral meniscal pathology by its location. The tendon is a key landmark in lateral knee arthroscopy, where the popliteal hiatus is seen at the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. PLC injury involves the popliteus-popliteofibular ligament complex.
Degeneration at the popliteal sulcus producing lateral knee pain during downhill running, managed with activity modification and progressive loading.
Combined PCL and posterolateral corner injury involves the popliteus tendon as part of the PLC complex, producing posterolateral drawer and external rotation instability; PLC reconstruction includes restoration of the popliteus-fibular complex using an allograft or autograft from the fibular head to the popliteal sulcus, combined with PCL reconstruction.
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