Semimembranosus Tendinopathy
Description[edit | edit source]
Semimembranosus tendinopathy (SMT) is an uncommon cause of chronic knee pain that is rarely described in the medical literature and may be underdiagnosed or inadequately treated owing to a lack of understanding of the condition. [6]
The tendon of the muscles that form the pes anserinus (m. Sartorius, m. Gracilis, m. Semitendinosis) run on the medial side of the knee and insert on the medial side of the tibial plateau just below the tuberosity of the tibia. There is a bursa under the tendon to smooth the movement of the tendons. It is often the bursa that will be ignited by excessive friction. The semimembranosispees is slightly deeper in the knee cavity and can also get overloaded with excessive hamstring activity. [7]
The incidence of Semimembranosus Tendinopathy is unknown in the athletic population and is probably more common by older patients. The usual presentation for SMT is pain on the posteromedial side of the knee. Physical examination can usually localize the area of tenderness to the distal semimembranosus tendon or its insertion on the medial proximal tibia. [8]
