Characterastics of muscle architectural parameters for early knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly women / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo observe the architectural parameter changes of the muscles around the knee in middle-aged and elderly women with early knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by musculoskeletal ultrasound, and to clarify the indicators of muscles that affect early KOA. MethodsFrom January to August, 2022, 20 healthy middle-aged and elderly healthy women (controls) and 20 middle-aged and elderly women with unilateral early KOA (KOA group) were recruited through Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, to measure muscle thickness of the popliteus muscle, the muscle thickness and the pennation angle of the quadriceps, as rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis longus and vastus medialis oblique. ResultsCompared with the healthy limb of KOA group, and the controls, the muscle thickness of vastus medialis longus, vastus medialis oblique and popliteus muscle of the affected limb of KOA group became thinner (t > 2.133, P < 0.05); the proportion of thickness of vastus medialis oblique to thickness of vastus lateralis became smaller (t > 3.660, P < 0.05). The pennation angle was smaller in the affected limb of KOA group than in the matched dominant side of the controls (t = 3.101, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the muscle thickness of vastus medialis oblique (OR = 0.235, 95%CI 0.068 to 0.805, P = 0.021) and popliteus muscle (OR = 0.387, 95%CI 0.152 to 0.980, P = 0.045) were related to the onset of early KOA. ConclusionThe thickness of vastus medialis longus, vastus medialis oblique and popliteus muscle decrease, and the balance of the strength of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis weakens in the affected limbs of the middle-aged and elderly women with early KOA. The thickness of vastus medialis oblique and popliteus muscle are protective factors for onset of KOA.

Cadaveric study on anatomical variations of popliteal artery and its terminal branches: a clinical perspective

Introduction: Anatomical knowledge is very important for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of the patient.The popliteal region presents a wide range of vascular anomalies. The correct diagnosis of these anatomicalvariations plays a key role in success of diverse procedures performed by orthopaedicians, vascular surgeonsand radiologists. In this context, the aim of our study was to gain knowledge on the origin, level and mode oftermination, course and relations of popliteal artery with surrounding structures, mainly the muscles, in poplitealfossa. The results obtained were compared with previous studies.Materials and methods: The study was carried out in 50 lower limbs of 25 well-embalmed cadavers. There wasno evidence of previous knee surgeries in any of the limbs. The specimens were collected from the department ofAnatomy, KVG Medical College, Sullia.Results: The femoral artery continued as popliteal artery, which terminated at the lower border of popliteusmuscle. Trifurcation pattern was observed in one specimen. 10% of specimens had hypoplastic/aplasticposteriortibial artery, distally replaced by peroneal artery. Another 4% of specimens had smaller posterior tibialand larger peroneal artery. Length of tibio peroneal trunk from the lower border of popliteus muscle was shorterthan normal (2.5 cm) in one specimen and longer in another specimen. The observation on course and relationsshowed that the popliteal artery passed beneath a bony tunnel of fibula before terminating in one specimen andin another specimen, popliteal artery was superficial to popliteal vein in the middle of popliteal fossa. In othertwo specimens, it coursed more medially towards medial head of gastrocnemius and another specimen presentedwith popliteal artery crossed by muscle belly of plantaris.Conclusion: This study adds up to the knowledge on vascular variations in the popliteal region, the awareness ofwhich is important to vascular surgeons while performing arterial reconstructions in femoro distal bypass graftprocedures and also to orthopaedicians during surgical clubfoot release.

Neurovascular Compression Caused by Popliteus Muscle Enlargement Without Discrete Trauma

Popliteal entrapment syndrome caused by isolated popliteus muscle enlargement is very rare, although its occurrence has been reported after discrete trauma. However, popliteal artery stenosis with combined peroneal and proximal tibial neuropathy caused by popliteus muscle enlargement without preceding trauma has not been reported. A 57-year-old man presented with a tingling sensation and pain in his left calf. He had no previous history of an injury. The symptoms were similar to those of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Calf pain became worse despite treatment, and the inability to flex his toes progressed. Computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremity showed popliteal artery stenosis caused by popliteus muscle enlargement and surrounding edema. An electrodiagnostic study confirmed combined peroneal and proximal tibial neuropathy at the popliteal fossa. Urgent surgical decompression was performed because of the progressive neurologic deficit and increasing neuropathic pain. The calf pain disappeared immediately after surgery, and he was discharged after the neurologic functions improved.

Neurovascular Compression Caused by Popliteus Muscle Enlargement Without Discrete Trauma

Popliteal entrapment syndrome caused by isolated popliteus muscle enlargement is very rare, although its occurrence has been reported after discrete trauma. However, popliteal artery stenosis with combined peroneal and proximal tibial neuropathy caused by popliteus muscle enlargement without preceding trauma has not been reported. A 57-year-old man presented with a tingling sensation and pain in his left calf. He had no previous history of an injury. The symptoms were similar to those of lumbosacral radiculopathy. Calf pain became worse despite treatment, and the inability to flex his toes progressed. Computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremity showed popliteal artery stenosis caused by popliteus muscle enlargement and surrounding edema. An electrodiagnostic study confirmed combined peroneal and proximal tibial neuropathy at the popliteal fossa. Urgent surgical decompression was performed because of the progressive neurologic deficit and increasing neuropathic pain. The calf pain disappeared immediately after surgery, and he was discharged after the neurologic functions improved.

Shape and innervation of popliteus muscle / 대한해부학회지

The aim of this study was to delineate the shape of the popliteus muscle and determine the correct motor point site for treating spasticity. A total of 22 legs from 13 fresh Korean cadavers were evaluated. The x-axis was set as a transverse line across the lateral and medial epicondyle of the femur and the y-axis as a vertical line at the midpoint of the medial malleolus of the tibia and lateral malleolus of the fibula. The popliteus muscle is an obtuse triangle in shape. Superior, medial, and inferior angles were 27.2+/-4.3degrees, 114.8+/-19.8degrees, and 38.0+/-18.8degrees respectively. The lengths of the superior, medial, and lateral sides of the triangle were 7.6+/-1.0 cm, 6.2+/-1.0 cm, and 11.9+/-1.5 cm respectively. Nerve branches ran superficially on the periosteum of the tibia and entered the popliteus on its superficial surface. The diverging point of the nerve branch entered the popliteus from the tibial nerve located at the midline of the popliteal fossa and 17% of the leg length above the intercondylar line. Most nerve entry points (83.3%) were within a 2.0x3.0 cm rectangle with the center located at -1.0 cm (-7%) on the x-axis and -3.3 cm (-9%) on the y-axis.