title: Partial isolated rupture of the popliteus tendon in a professional soccer player: a case report.
abstract: The complete isolated rupture of the popliteus tendon has been described as a rare injury and this report describes the case of a 31-year-old soccer player who sustained a partial rupture of the popliteus tendon during a game. The injury was suspected clinically and at MRI but confirmed only by the arthroscopic examination. The treatment consisted in open debridment with no tendon repair or augmentation. Seven weeks post-operation the patient was symptom-free and returned to competitive professional soccer at the same preinjury level. The clinical and arthroscopic findings of the case reported suggest a possible overuse disease with degenerative expression.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Sports Traumatology, Piazza L, de Bosis 6, University of Rome "Foro Italico", I-00135 Rome, Italy. ppmariani@virgilio.it.
authors: Pier Paolo
authors: PP
authors: Mariani
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Margheritini