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SM Journal of Orthopedics

The Antero-Lateral Ligament of the Knee

[ ISSN : 2473-067X ]

Abstract Citation Introduction Conclusion References
Details

Received: 29-Jun-2016

Accepted: 30-Jun-2016

Published: 01-Jul-2016

John E Benny¹*, Karthick M Selvaraj¹, and David V. Rajan¹

¹Ortho-One Orthopedic Specialty Centre, Coimbatore, India

Corresponding Author:

John E Benny, Ortho- One Orthopedic Specilality Centre, Coimbatore, India, Email: drjohnbennyortho@gmail.com

Abstract

In the year 1879 [1], Paul Segond mentioned about the Anterolateral Ligament (ALL) for the f irst time in orthopedic literature.

Citation

Benny JE, Selvaraj KM and Rajan DV. The Antero-Lateral Ligament of the Knee. SM J Orthop. 2016; 2(4): 1042.

Introduction

In the year 1879 [1], Paul Segond mentioned about the Anterolateral Ligament (ALL) for the f irst time in orthopedic literature. It eventually was named by Vieira et al. [1]. There have been anatomical studies that have been conducted to describe the exact origin, insertion parameters and their path, since the year 2012. We identified four anatomical studies that have focus specifically on the ALL.

The origin of the ALL is in the lateral femoral condyle, slightly anterior and distal to the origin of the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) and in the plane between the LCL and the popliteal tendon. It follows an oblique path anteriorly and inferiorly to the tibia, inserting on to the lateral meniscus and on to the lateral tibial condyle just below the chondral surface of the lateral tibial condyle.

An association of ALL and ACL injuries and its etiology in the rotatory instability was proposed by Monaco et al [3].

The parameters specific for radiological visualization of ALL with MRI scans have been cited by a few authors. However the complete demarcation of the structure is not always possible which is probably due to the lack of recognition of the ligament.

The characterisation of the ALL has been done successfully in recent anatomical studies [1,4]. The origin in the lateral femoral chondral and insertions [4] being identified in cadaver. Various studies have demonstrated the bifurcation point clearly demonstrated. There have also been variations in the origin and insertion attachments as published in a study by Vincent et al [2].

There are very less studies showing the ability of MRI ability to pick up ALL in patients. Partly because of the lack of recognition of the clinical significance of ALL until recently. The study in progress attempts in visualisation of the ALL in all the knees using a routine 1.5 - T MRI. The challenges include the ability to visualise the ligament a separate entity in the already crowded lateral aspect of the knee!

There has been a lot of interest focused following the recent description of the anterolateral ligament of the knee. The knowledge of its anatomy and function has lead to much better understanding of its role in the rotatory control of the tibia in the injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament. Reconstruction of this Antero-Lateral Ligament (ALL) is definitely set to become an important step during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Conclusion

The major challenge is in the preoperative assessment of this ligament which is yet to defined. Reproducibility of Clinical assessment of rotatory laxity has been poor. This makes identification of the ligament through investigations a top priority in helping identifying, delineating and diagnosing the anterolateral ligament injury. The MRI stands as the best possible investigation in identifying soft tissue images in the and around the knee.

References

1. Vieira Eduardo Luís, Vieira EA, da Silva RT, Berlfein PA, Abdalla RJ, Cohen M. “An anatomic study of the iliotibial tract.” Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery. 2007; 23: 269-274.

2. Vincent Jean-Philippe, Magnussen RA, Gezmez F, Uguen A, Jacobi M, Weppe F, et al. “The anterolateral ligament of the human knee: an anatomic and histologic study.” Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2012; 20: 147-152.

3. Monaco E, Ferretti A, Labianca L, Maestri B, Speranza A, Kelly MJ, et al. “Navigated knee kinematics after cutting of the ACL and its secondary restraint.” Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2012; 20: 870-877.

4. Camilo Partezani Helito, Marco Kawamura Demange, Marcelo Batista Bonadio, Luis Eduardo Passarelli Tírico, Riccardo Gomes Gobbi, José Ricardo Pécora, et al. “Anatomy and histology of the knee anterolateral ligament.” Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013; 1.

5. Claes Steven, Vereecke E, Maes M, Victor J, Verdonk P, Bellemans J, et al. “Anatomy of the anterolateral ligament of the knee.”Journal of anatomy 2013; 223: 321-328

6. Claes Steven, Stijn Bartholomeeusen, and Johan Bellemans. “High prevalence of anterolateral ligament abnormalities in magnetic resonance images of anterior cruciate ligament-injured knees.” ActaorthopaedicaBelgica. 2014; 80: 45-49.

7. Gossner, Johannes. “The anterolateral ligament of the knee-Visibility on magnetic resonance imaging.” Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia. 2014; 49: 98-99.

8. Helito CP, Helito PV, Costa HP, Bordalo-Rodrigues M, Pecora JR, Camanho GL, et al. “MRI evaluation of the anterolateral ligament of the knee: assessment in routine 1.5-T scans.” Skeletal radiology. 2014; 43: 1421-1427.

9. Landis J Richard, Gary G Koch. “The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data.” Biometrics. 1977; 33: 159-174

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