Role of the Popliteal Fossa in Knee Problems: Theoretical Considerations and Practical Implications

Maghsoud  Eivazi Gh; Amin Alilou; Sara Fereydounnia; James Selfe; Sahar Zamani

doi:10.18502/jmr.v14i3.7711

Maghsoud Eivazi Gh Faculty of General Medicine, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan.
Amin Alilou Faculty of Dentistry, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan.
Sara Fereydounnia School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
James Selfe Department of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England.
Sahar Zamani School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmr.v14i3.7711

Keywords: Posterolateral corner of the knee, Popliteus Fossa, Popliteomeniscal fascicles, Injury

Abstract

The popliteal fossa is located at the back of the knee joint and it is an area where blood vessels and nerves and also lymph nodes pass. Popliteal fossa injuries includes nearly 2% of acute knee injuries. The treatment of chronic injuries are always more difficult than acute ones, because its diagnosis would depend on careful interpretation of specific clinical exams. In this review, we describe our current understanding of role of popliteal fossa in knee problems, and summarize the anatomy and functional role of popliteal fossa and popliteomeniscal fibers, and mechanism of popliteomeniscal fibers injuries, and discuss strategies for diagnosis of popliteomeniscal fibers lesions, differential diagnosis, and treatment of the posterolateral corner injuries.