Traumatic rupture of the popliteus tendon is a rare type of knee injury. Most reported cases had occurred in athletes or following high impact trauma. We report a case of a 23-year-old male with an isolated complete popliteus tendon rupture that was diagnosed arthroscopically. The patient worked as a general labourer in a sawmill. He fell at his workplace and presented with acute painful fixed flexion of the right knee. Initially he was suspected to have a meniscus tear. Diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee was carried out; and diagnosis of popliteal tendon rupture was established. The patient was subsequently managed conservatively by arthroscopic debridement. He was allowed to mobilize the knee as tolerated after the surgery. He was well with a full knee range of movement and was able to walk normally at six weeks after surgery. This article highlights the possibility of complete popliteus tendon rupture following a minor occupational injury in a previously normal knee.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the worldwide medical education system was affected tremendously due to the suspension of clinical activities and lockdown to prevent the spread of the disease. The delivery of clinical training was modified to alternative methods including online classrooms, recorded video, use of simulated patients and hybrid teaching. Several institutions worldwide chose to postpone their scheduled examination, which requires physical attendance or opted for virtual examination. Malaysian centralised postgraduate orthopaedic exit examination was postponed in 2020 and later recommenced in 2021 with three different centres across the country: north, east and central Malaysia. This article describes the preparation and challenges faced in conducting a face-to-face clinical exit examination for postgraduate orthopaedic candidates in Universiti Putra Malaysia in May 2021, during the Conditional Movement Control Order phase. The examination was a success, and no outbreak of COVID-19 was reported from the event.

Introduction: Bertolotti’s syndrome (BS) is defined as the presence of low back pain (LBP), radiculopathy or both with a dysplastic transverse process (TP) of the fifth lumbar vertebra that is articulated or fused with the sacral base or iliac crest. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of BS to promote awareness of this disease. Methods: A retrospective review of anteroposterior lumbosacral plain radiographs was conducted between 1 January and 31 December 2017. Patients were recruited via systematic randomised sampling and were then interviewed and examined. The severity of BS was measured objectively using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODQ). Data were analysed using IBM SPSS for Windows version 22. Results: The prevalence of BS was 9.6% (16/166). Age significantly affected the severity of BS. The older and younger groups had a mean ODQ score of 42.86% and 24.08%, respectively (P=0.006). There was no significant relationship found between the prevalence of BS and age (P=0.126). Only one patient was diagnosed with BS during medical consultation. The mean NPRS score was 5.5. The majority of the BS cases were of moderate severity (43.8%), followed by those of minimal severity (31.2%) and severe disability (25%). Conclusion Early diagnosis of BS and orthopaedic referral are crucial to halt its progression. BS should be considered in patients presenting with LBP during assessments of lumbosacral radiographs.
Low Back Pain