scholarly journals ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE POSTEROLATERAL LIGAMENT COMPLEX OF THE KNEE: LCL AND POPLITEUS TENDON

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 249-252
Author(s):  
MARCEL FARACO SOBRADO ◽  
CAMILO PARTEZANI HELITO ◽  
LUCAS DA PONTE MELO ◽  
ANDRE MARANGONI ASPERTI ◽  
RICCARDO GOMES GOBBI ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse the distances between the femoral insertions of the popliteus tendon (PT) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) through dissections of cadaveric specimens in a mixed population. Methods: Fresh cadavers were dissected, and the anthropometric data of all specimens were recorded. The distances from the origin of the PT to the LCL in the femoral region and the diameter of each structure were measured using a digital calliper. Results: In total, 11 unpaired knees were dissected, eight men and three women, with an average age of 71.5 ± 15.2 years, weight of 57.2 ± 15.6 kg, and a mean height of 170.5 ± 8.2 cm. The distance from the center of the femoral footprint of the LCL to the PT was 10.0 ± 2.4 mm. The distances between the edges closest to each other and those more distant from each other were 3.1 ± 1.1 mm and 16.3 ± 2.4 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The distance between the midpoints of the PT and the LCL in our mixed population is smaller than the distances often reported in the literature. PLC reconstruction with separate tunnels for the LCL and PT may not be technically possible for individuals of any population. Level of Evidence III, Diagnostic studies.

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilo Partezani Helito ◽  
Marcelo Batista Bonadio ◽  
Riccardo Gomes Gobbi ◽  
Roberto Freire da Mota e Albuquerque ◽  
José Ricardo Pécora ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihito Takubo ◽  
Keinosuke Ryu ◽  
Takanori Iriuchishima ◽  
Masahiro Nagaoka ◽  
Yasuaki Tokuhashi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The popliteus tendon (PT) or lateral collateral ligament (LCL) stabilizes the postero-lateral aspects of the knees. When surgeons perform total knee arthroplasty (TKA), PT and LCL iatrogenic injuries are a risk because the femoral attachments are relatively close to the femoral bone resection area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distance between the PT or LCL footprint and the TKA implant using a 3D template system and to evaluate any significant differences according to the implant model.Methods Eighteen non-paired formalin fixed cadaveric lower limbs were used (average age: 80.3). Whole length lower limbs were resected from the pelvis. All the surrounding soft tissue except the PT, knee ligaments and meniscus were removed from the limb. Careful dissection of the PT and LCL was performed, and the femoral footprints were detected. Each footprint periphery was marked with a 1.5 mm K-wire. Computed tomography (CT) scanning of the whole lower limb was then performed. The CT data was analyzed with a 3D template system. This simulation models for TKA were the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS. The area of each footprint, and the length between the most distal and posterior point of the lateral femoral condyle and the edge of each footprint were measured. Matching the implant model to the CT image of the femur, the shortest length between each footprint and the bone resection area were calculated.Results PT and LCL footprint were detected in all knees. The area of the PT and LCL footprints was 38.7±17.7mm2 and 58.0±24.6mm2, respectively. The length between the most distal and posterior point of the lateral femoral condyle and the edge of the PT footprint was 10.3±2.4mm and 14.2±2.8mm, respectively. The length between most distal and most posterior point of the lateral femoral condyle and the edge of the LCL footprint was 16.3±2.3mm and 15.5±3.3mm, respectively. Under TKA simulation, the shortest length between the PT footprint and the femoral bone resection area for the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS was 4.3±2.5mm and 3.2±2.9mm, respectively. The shortest length between the LCL footprint and the femoral bone resection area for the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS was 7.2±2.3mm and 5.6±2.1mm, respectively. The PT attachment was damaged by the bone resection of the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS TKA in 3 and 9 knees, respectively.Conclusion The PT and LCL femoral attachments existed close to the femoral bone resection area of the TKA. To prevent postero-lateral instability in TKA, careful attention is needed to avoid damage to the PT and LCL during surgical procedures.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akihito Takubo ◽  
Keinosuke Ryu ◽  
Takanori Iriuchishima ◽  
Masahiro Nagaoka ◽  
Yasuaki Tokuhashi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background When surgeons perform TKA, popliteus tendon (PT) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) iatrogenic injuries are a risk because the femoral attachments are relatively close to the bone resection area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distance between the PT or LCL footprint and the TKA implant using a 3D template system and to evaluate any significant differences according to the implant model. Methods Eighteen non-paired formalin fixed cadaveric lower limbs were used. All the surrounding soft tissue except the PT, ligaments and meniscus were removed from the knee. Careful dissection of the PT and LCL was performed, and the femoral footprints were detected. Each footprint periphery was marked with a K-wire. CT scanning was then performed. The data was analyzed with a 3D template system. This simulation models for TKA were the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS. The area of each footprint, and the length between the most distal and posterior point of the lateral femoral condyle and the edge of each footprint were measured. Matching the implant model to the CT image, the shortest length between each footprint and the osteotomy area were calculated. Results The area of the PT and LCL footprints was 38.7±17.7mm 2 and 58.0±24.6mm 2 . The length between the most distal and posterior point of the lateral femoral condyle and the edge of the PT footprint was 10.3±2.4mm and 14.2±2.8mm. The length between these same points and the edge of the LCL footprint was 16.3±2.3mm and 15.5±3.3mm. Under TKA simulation, for the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS, the shortest length between the PT footprint and the osteotomy area was 4.3±2.5mm and 3.2±2.9mm, and the shortest length between the LCL footprint and the osteotomy area was 7.2±2.3mm and 5.6±2.1mm. The PT attachment was damaged by the bone resection of the Journey II BCS and the Persona PS TKA in 3 and 9 knee. Conclusion The PT and LCL femoral attachments existed close to the femoral bone resection area of the TKA. Careful attention is needed to avoid damage to the PT and LCL during surgical procedures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967117S0013
Author(s):  
Tobias Drenck ◽  
Christoph Domnick ◽  
Mirco Herbort ◽  
Michael Raschke ◽  
Karl-Heinz Frosch

Aims and Objectives: The posterolateral corner of the knee consists of different structures, which contribute to instability when damaged after injury or within surgery. Knowing the kinematic influences may help to improve clinical diagnostics and surgical techniques. The purpose was to determine static stabilizing effects of the posterolateral corner by dissecting stepwise all fibers and ligaments (the arcuat complex, AC) connected with the popliteus tendon (PLT) and the influence on lateral stability in the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) intact-state. Materials ans Methods: Kinematics were examined in 13 fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees using a robotic/UFS testing system with an optical tracking system. The knee kinematics were determined for 134 N anterior/posterior loads, 10 Nm valgus/varus loads and 5 Nm internal/external rotational loads in 0°, 20°, 30°, 60° and 90° of knee flexion. The posterolateral corner structures were consecutively dissected: The I.) intact knee joint, II.) with dissected posterior cruciate ligament, III.) meniscofibular/-tibial fibers, IV.) popliteofibular ligament, V.) popliteotibial fascicle (last structure of static AC), VI.) PLT and VII.) LCL. Results: The external rotation angle increased significantly by 2.6° to 7.9° (P<.05) in 0° to 90° of knee flexion and posterior tibial translation increased by 2.9 mm to 5.9 mm in 20° to 90° of knee flexion (P<.05) after cutting the AC/PLT structures (with intact LCL) in contrast to the PCL deficient knee. Differences between dissected static AC and dissected PLT were only found in 60° and 90° external rotation tests (by 2.1° and 3.1°; P<.05). In the other 28 kinematic tests, no significant differences between PLT and AC were found. Cutting the AC/PLT complex did not further decrease varus, valgus or anterior tibial stability in any flexion angle in comparison to the PCL dissected state. Conclusion: The arcuat complex is an important static stabilizer for external rotatory and posterior tibial loads of the knee, even in the lateral collateral ligament intact-state. After dissecting the major parts of the arcuat complex, the static stabilizing function of the popliteus tendon is lost. The arcuat complex has no varus-stabilizing function in the LCL-intact knee. The anatomy and function of these structures for external-rotational and posterior-translational stabilization should be considered for clinical diagnostics and when performing surgery in the posterolateral corner.


2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1117-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith L. Markolf ◽  
Benjamin R. Graves ◽  
Susan M. Sigward ◽  
Steven R. Jackson ◽  
David R. McAllister

Background With grade 3 posterolateral injuries of the knee, reconstructions of the lateral collateral ligament, popliteus tendon, and popliteofibular ligament are commonly performed in conjunction with a posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction to restore knee stability. Hypothesis A lateral collateral ligament reconstruction, alone or with a popliteus tendon or popliteofibular ligament reconstruction, will produce normal varus rotation patterns and restore posterior cruciate ligament graft forces to normal levels in response to an applied varus moment. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Forces in the native posterior cruciate ligament were recorded for 15 intact knees during passive extension from 120° to 0° with an applied 5 N·m varus moment. The posterior cruciate ligament was removed and reconstructed with a single bundle inlay graft tensioned to restore intact knee laxity at 90°. Posterior cruciate ligament graft force, varus rotation, and tibial rotation were recorded before and after a grade 3 posterolateral corner injury. Testing was repeated with lateral collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament plus popliteus tendon, and lateral collateral ligament plus popliteofibular ligament graft reconstructions; all grafts were tensioned to 30 N at 30° with the tibia locked in neutral rotation. Results All 3 posterolateral graft combinations rotated the tibia into slight valgus as the knee was taken through a passive range of motion. During the varus test, popliteus tendon and popliteofibular ligament reconstructions internally rotated the tibia from 1.5° (0° flexion) to approximately 12° (45° flexion). With an applied varus moment, mean varus rotations with a lateral collateral ligament graft were significantly less than those with the intact lateral collateral ligament beyond 0° flexion; mean decreases ranged from 0.8° (at 5° flexion) to 5.6° (at 120° flexion). Addition of a popliteus tendon or popliteofibular ligament graft further reduced varus rotation (compared with a lateral collateral ligament graft) beyond 25° of flexion; both grafts had equal effects. A lateral collateral ligament reconstruction alone restored posterior cruciate ligament graft forces to normal levels between 0° and 100° of flexion; lateral collateral ligament plus popliteus tendon and lateral collateral ligament plus popliteofibular ligament reconstructions reduced posterior cruciate ligament graft forces to below-normal levels—beyond 95° and 85° of flexion, respectively. Conclusions With a grade 3 posterolateral corner injury, popliteus tendon or popliteofibular ligament reconstructions are commonly performed to limit external tibial rotation; we found that they also limited varus rotation. With the graft tensioning protocols used in this study, all posterolateral graft combinations tested overconstrained varus rotation. Further studies with posterolateral reconstructions are required to better restore normal kinematics and provide more optimum load sharing between the PCL graft and posterolateral grafts. Clinical Relevance A lower level of posterolateral graft tension, perhaps applied at a different flexion angle, may be indicated to better restore normal varus stability. The clinical implications of overconstraining varus rotation are unknown.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 2052-2060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshito Yasuda ◽  
Hiroaki Shima ◽  
Katsunori Mori ◽  
Seiya Tsujinaka ◽  
Masashi Neo

Background: Objective data on chronic injuries of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the ankle are scarce. Chronic MCL injuries are frequently associated with lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries. For patients with chronic combined MCL and LCL injuries, the authors have performed simultaneous surgery of the 2 ligaments. Hypothesis: Simultaneous surgery of the 2 ligaments may be effectively used to treat chronic combined MCL and LCL injuries. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Surgical outcomes were evaluated in 29 consecutive patients presenting with chronic MCL and LCL injuries (30 ankles; 15 men and 14 women; mean age, 31 years; 13 competitive and 10 recreational athletes). Preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were measured with the Karlsson score and the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) ankle-hindfoot scale score. The patients underwent preoperative and postoperative functional measurements and a radiological examination. In addition, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, arthroscopic findings, and histology of the MCL were evaluated. Results: Preoperatively, the deep fibers of the MCL did not appear striated in 29 ankles, and high-intensity signal changes were observed in 23 ankles on T2-weighted or gradient echo MRI. MCL ruptures were confirmed with arthroscopic surgery. Medial impingement lesions and focal chondral lesions were confirmed in 10 and 21 ankles, respectively. Histology of the reconstructed MCL showed dense collagen fibers with vessels. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 30 months (range, 24-52 months). There was a significant change between preoperative and postoperative Karlsson scores (69.0 vs 96.1 points, respectively; P < .0001) and JSSF scores (69.8 vs 94.5 points, respectively; P < .0001). On varus and valgus stress radiography, the postoperative talar tilt angle was significantly lower than the preoperative angle. Postoperative anterior displacement on stress radiography was significantly lower than preoperative anterior displacement. Postoperatively, all 23 athletes returned to their preinjury level of sports participation. Conclusion: MCL insufficiency resulted from medial ankle instability and medial impingement lesions. Outcomes in the patients indicated that MCL reconstruction or resection of medial impingement lesions, performed in addition to LCL reconstruction, is effective for treating chronic combined MCL and LCL injuries of the ankle.


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