Popliteus Avulsion Fracture After Unicompartmental Arthroplasty

Abstract

Case: An active 64-year-old patient presented with new-onset lateral knee pain 42 days after an uncomplicated medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Magnetic resonance imaging and diagnostic injection of local anesthetic identified an avulsion fracture of the popliteus tendon as the source of discomfort. Repair of the tendon to its native footprint was performed with suture anchor fixation. The patient was pain-free and returned to work without restrictions at 12 weeks. Conclusion: We identify a unique cause of knee pain after UKA—avulsion of the popliteus tendon. Successful management of this condition included anatomic repair of the tendon with suture anchor fixation.