11/17/2025
Why is the Popliteus effected when you have Knee Osteoarthritis?
The popliteus muscle can be affected in knee osteoarthritis (OA) due to its role in stabilizing and unlocking the knee joint, especially during activities like walking and transitioning between sitting and standing. Here’s why:
1. Altered Biomechanics:
a. in O.A, joint space narrowing, cartilage degeneration, and osteophyte formation can alter how the knee moves.
b. The dysfunctional movement can put a strain on stabilizing muscles (popliteus)
2. Increased Demand on Stabilization:
a. the popliteus helps prevent excessive external rotation of the tibia and aids in the initiation of knee flexion (unlocking the knee).
b. As O.A. compromises the joint integrity, the demand on the popliteus to stabilize increases, potentially leading to a tight popliteus.
3. Joint Effusion and Inflammation:
a. There is often swelling and inflammation with O.A. and this can inhibit the function of surrounding muscles (popliteus)
b. Chronic inflammation may also lead to muscle atrophy or tightness in the popliteus.
4. Pain and Guarding:
a. Pain from OA often causes muscle guarding- the popliteus may become tight or overactive as a result.
What can we do if the popliteus is tight?
• Trigger point the popliteus muscle. Take a lacrosse ball behind the knee, sink into the ball as you move the ball up and down, side to side.
• Ensure your glutes are strong creating stability for the knee
• Strengthen the Vastus Medialis Obliques- walking backwards on a treadmill on an incline
• There are also injections you can get: Platelet Replacement Therapy, Synvisc or Monovisc to help lubricate the O.A. knee
