Muscles
Popliteus
'Unlocks' the knee from full extension; rotates the tibia internally.
Overview
'Unlocks' the knee from full extension; rotates the tibia internally. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Posterior knee deep to the gastrocnemius.
Referred pain pattern
Posterior knee pain that worsens with stairs or squatting.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Downhill running, deep squat overload.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Knee mobility, eccentric work. Clinically: needling carefully.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction