Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report

Background: Popliteus muscle haemorrhage is a rare cause of tibial mononeuropathy after severe knee trauma. Case report: 57-year-old patient with left knee trauma presented with knee instability, sensory loss over the sole of the foot and a partial foot plantar flexion and complete toe flexion paral...

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Main Authors: Maarten Rombauts, Arne Hautekiet, Koen Matthys, Willem Goethals
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X24000468
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author Maarten Rombauts
Arne Hautekiet
Koen Matthys
Willem Goethals
author_facet Maarten Rombauts
Arne Hautekiet
Koen Matthys
Willem Goethals
author_sort Maarten Rombauts
collection DOAJ
description Background: Popliteus muscle haemorrhage is a rare cause of tibial mononeuropathy after severe knee trauma. Case report: 57-year-old patient with left knee trauma presented with knee instability, sensory loss over the sole of the foot and a partial foot plantar flexion and complete toe flexion paralysis. MRI demonstrated an acute ACL rupture combined with a popliteus muscle hematoma causing compression of the tibial nerve just distal to the popliteal fossa. Tibial nerve continuity was preserved on MRI and on ultrasound. Nerve conduction study showed a progressive decline to zero in CMAP amplitude of the tibial nerve, corresponding with total axonotmesis. There was no contraction in the most distal tibial nerve innervated musculature on EMG, with sparing of the gastrocnemius muscle. Conservative treatment consisting of a patient-tailored rehabilitation program was chosen. There was a functional recovery at 1-year follow-up, but remaining toe spreading paralysis and sensory disturbances. Conclusion: Conservative treatment for tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage has a good functional outcome, in which EMG can help estimate the prognosis. Operative release should be considered when there is unbearable pain, progressive neurological deterioration, clear vascular compression or loss of nerve continuity.
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spelling doaj-art-3db8c9dba1ac45eba5b920d6a1fbe4132025-08-20T02:48:22ZengElsevierJournal of Orthopaedic Reports2773-157X2025-03-014110035110.1016/j.jorep.2024.100351Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case reportMaarten Rombauts0Arne Hautekiet1Koen Matthys2Willem Goethals3Corresponding author.; AZ Maria Middelares Vzw, Buitenring-Sint-Denijs 30, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumAZ Maria Middelares Vzw, Buitenring-Sint-Denijs 30, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumAZ Maria Middelares Vzw, Buitenring-Sint-Denijs 30, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumAZ Maria Middelares Vzw, Buitenring-Sint-Denijs 30, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumBackground: Popliteus muscle haemorrhage is a rare cause of tibial mononeuropathy after severe knee trauma. Case report: 57-year-old patient with left knee trauma presented with knee instability, sensory loss over the sole of the foot and a partial foot plantar flexion and complete toe flexion paralysis. MRI demonstrated an acute ACL rupture combined with a popliteus muscle hematoma causing compression of the tibial nerve just distal to the popliteal fossa. Tibial nerve continuity was preserved on MRI and on ultrasound. Nerve conduction study showed a progressive decline to zero in CMAP amplitude of the tibial nerve, corresponding with total axonotmesis. There was no contraction in the most distal tibial nerve innervated musculature on EMG, with sparing of the gastrocnemius muscle. Conservative treatment consisting of a patient-tailored rehabilitation program was chosen. There was a functional recovery at 1-year follow-up, but remaining toe spreading paralysis and sensory disturbances. Conclusion: Conservative treatment for tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage has a good functional outcome, in which EMG can help estimate the prognosis. Operative release should be considered when there is unbearable pain, progressive neurological deterioration, clear vascular compression or loss of nerve continuity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X24000468Case reportTibial neuropathyPopliteus muscleAnterior cruciate ligamentKnee injuryElectromyography
spellingShingle Maarten Rombauts
Arne Hautekiet
Koen Matthys
Willem Goethals
Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report
Journal of Orthopaedic Reports
Case report
Tibial neuropathy
Popliteus muscle
Anterior cruciate ligament
Knee injury
Electromyography
title Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report
title_full Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report
title_fullStr Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report
title_short Uncommon complication in traumatic ACL rupture: Tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage: A case report
title_sort uncommon complication in traumatic acl rupture tibial neuropathy due to popliteus muscle haemorrhage a case report
topic Case report
Tibial neuropathy
Popliteus muscle
Anterior cruciate ligament
Knee injury
Electromyography
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773157X24000468
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