Popliteus Muscle Anatomy | The Key That Unlocks Your Knee

Popliteus Muscle Anatomy Breakdown – Muscle by Muscle The Popliteus might be small — but it’s one of the most important muscles for healthy knee mechanics. In this video, we break down: 𖤓 Popliteus origin & insertion 𖤓 The screw-home mechanism 𖤓 How the knee “locks” and “unlocks” 𖤓 Tibial internal rotation vs femoral rotation 𖤓 Posterolateral knee stability 𖤓 Role in ACL-deficient knees 𖤓 Lateral meniscus protection 𖤓 Clinical implications for downhill walking, pivoting, and deceleration Popliteus isn’t a power muscle — it’s a timing and control muscle. If your knee feels stuck, unstable, or uncomfortable during rotation-based movement… this muscle deserves attention. This is part of the Anatomy Breakdown – Muscle by Muscle series. More in store. Even more to come. — Treadwell, DPT Popliteus Explained: Unlocking the Knee & Posterolateral Stability Why Your Knee Feels “Stuck” – Popliteus Anatomy & Function Austin Treadwell, DPT Minneapolis, MN The Only Cool Physical Therapist