Tibial nerve entrapment in the popliteal fossa.

Details are presented of nine cases of tibial nerve entrapment by the tendinous arch of origin of the soleus muscle. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgical exploration of the popliteal fossa in six patients, who recovered fully after division of the soleus arch, whereas the other three improved spontaneously. This condition can be distinguished clinically from tibial nerve compression at the ankle, and from S1 radiculopathy, by the presence of severe pain and tenderness and a positive Tinel sign in the popliteal fossa, and by electrodiagnostic studies. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.