Isolated popliteus rupture at the musculo-tendinous junction.

Abstract

We report the case of a 23-year-old professional senior international rugby union player who sustained a lateral blow to his semiflexed knee during a competitive game. Initial clinical examination was unremarkable apart from some posterolateral tenderness. A magnetic resonance imaging scan showed an isolated popliteus tendon rupture at the musculo-tendinous junction. After 5 weeks of focused rehabilitation and graduated training, he was able to resume his playing career and resumed his international playing career later that season. At the time of reporting, he has completed a full domestic and international season without any sequelae from the injury. This report highlights the rarity of such an injury, especially at the musculo-tendinous junction, and sets out a detailed rehabilitation program that has enabled the patient in question to resume his playing career.