Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2025
Abstract
Purpose of Review: Tendinopathies affecting the popliteus, distal hamstring, and proximal gastrocnemius tendons at the popliteal fossa can result in persistent pain, reduced function, and time-loss from sport. The goal of this paper is to review the literature on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of popliteal tendinopathies. Recent Findings: Understanding popliteal fossa tendon anatomy and muscle actions is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective management. Treatment options range from conservative, non-surgical approaches to surgical interventions, with phased progression through stretching, strengthening, and biomechanical optimization of the affected muscle/tendon unit being key to rehabilitation. Summary: There is a paucity of literature on popliteal tendinopathies. However, clinical experience suggests they may be more common than described. Accurate diagnosis and treatment can facilitate a full and timely recovery while mitigating the risk for prolonged symptom burden. Further research is necessary to identify risk factors, develop diagnostic approaches, optimize rehabilitation protocols, and explore novel treatment strategies for each popliteal tendinopathy.
Keywords
ligaments, osteoarthritis, orthopaedics, physical examination, skeletal muscle, tendons, tendinopathy assessment and management in sports medicine
Language
English
Publication Title
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports
Rights
© 2025, The Author(s). This is an Open Access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Russell, R.L., Katz, N. & Schroeder, A.N. Popliteal Tendinopathies in the Athlete: A Narrative Review of Popliteus, Hamstring, and Gastrocnemius Tendon Pathologies at the Popliteal Fossa. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 13, 33 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-025-00505-6
Manuscript Version
Final Publisher Version