Popliteus muscle hemorrhage as a rare cause of a proximal tibial neuropathy

Proximal tibial neuropathy is an uncommon focal mononeuropathy that is most often caused by trauma, ischemia, or neoplastic infiltration or compression of the tibial nerve. We report a patient who presented with a tibial neuropathy following a leg injury, which initially mimicked a lumbosacral radiculopathy but which was the result of a proximal tibial neuropathy. Electrophysiologic studies confirmed a proximal tibial neuropathy and MRI revealed a popliteus muscle hemorrhage with mass effect on the tibial nerve. Following conservative management the patient had little recovery of function after 15 months.