Popliteus Tendon Injury: A Rare Cause of Acute Locked Knee

The acute locked knee is a common presentation of meniscal tears or other intra-articular injuries. However, a popliteus tendon tear, an uncommon cause of acute locked knee, is often overlooked as a possible diagnosis. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old male who experienced an acute locked knee following a sports injury. An arthroscopic examination revealed an intrasubstance tear in the popliteus tendon and a complete anterior cruciate ligament tear, while the menisci remained intact. Due to the extension lag caused by the popliteus tendon tear, the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was postponed. The patient then underwent a course of physiotherapy before the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and eventually achieved full knee extension after six weeks. Further surgical intervention was then performed to address the ligament injury. Our case highlights the importance of considering a popliteus tendon tear as a possible cause of an acute locked knee. Proper diagnosis and management are crucial for achieving optimal outcomes for patients with an acute locked knee and concomitant ligamentous injury.