TY - JOUR
T1 - Menisco-fibular ligament - an overview
T2 - Cadaveric dissection, clinical and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis, arthroscopic visualisation and treatment
AU - Zdanowicz, U. E.
AU - Ciszkowska-Lyson, B.
AU - Krajewski, P.
AU - Ciszek, B.
AU - Badylak, S. F.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Via Medica. All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/9/7
Y1 - 2021/9/7
N2 - Background: Injury to the menisco-fibular ligament (MFiL) is not commonly recognised. The anatomy of the lateral meniscus is complex and structure-function relationships are only partly understood. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the MFiL, an anatomic structure rarely discussed that stabilises the lateral meniscus at the level of the hiatus popliteus and may have a crucial role in pathology of lateral meniscus injury. Materials and methods: The MFiL was dissected from its attachment at the lateral meniscus to its insertion on fibular head in 12 human normal cadaver knees. The dimensions were determined and its anatomic position visualised throughout a 90° range of motion. Findings were documented on digital photographs and on video. Results were compared against the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the injured MFiL in 20 patients. Concomitant knee injuries in those patients were also analysed to determine the most frequent pattern of injuries. Results: The normal MFiL showed an inverted trapezoid-shape with a mean width proximally of 13 mm, mean width distally of 8.5 mm and a mean length of 18.4 mm. MRI visualisation of the ligament was possible even in regular sequences; however, additional radial plane sequences were also used. Arthroscopic visualisation and manipulation was optimal when the camera was inserted into the postero-lateral gutter with full knee extension. Conclusions: The MFiL stabilises the postero-lateral knee in concert with the menisco-femoral ligaments. Injury to the MFiL can be a cause of chronic postero- lateral pain syndrome with associated instability. Further anatomical and biomechanical studies are needed in order to fully evaluate its importance.
AB - Background: Injury to the menisco-fibular ligament (MFiL) is not commonly recognised. The anatomy of the lateral meniscus is complex and structure-function relationships are only partly understood. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the MFiL, an anatomic structure rarely discussed that stabilises the lateral meniscus at the level of the hiatus popliteus and may have a crucial role in pathology of lateral meniscus injury. Materials and methods: The MFiL was dissected from its attachment at the lateral meniscus to its insertion on fibular head in 12 human normal cadaver knees. The dimensions were determined and its anatomic position visualised throughout a 90° range of motion. Findings were documented on digital photographs and on video. Results were compared against the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the injured MFiL in 20 patients. Concomitant knee injuries in those patients were also analysed to determine the most frequent pattern of injuries. Results: The normal MFiL showed an inverted trapezoid-shape with a mean width proximally of 13 mm, mean width distally of 8.5 mm and a mean length of 18.4 mm. MRI visualisation of the ligament was possible even in regular sequences; however, additional radial plane sequences were also used. Arthroscopic visualisation and manipulation was optimal when the camera was inserted into the postero-lateral gutter with full knee extension. Conclusions: The MFiL stabilises the postero-lateral knee in concert with the menisco-femoral ligaments. Injury to the MFiL can be a cause of chronic postero- lateral pain syndrome with associated instability. Further anatomical and biomechanical studies are needed in order to fully evaluate its importance.
KW - Anatomy
KW - Arthroscopy
KW - Knee
KW - Lateral meniscus
KW - Menisco-fibular ligament
KW - Postero-lateral corner
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85099334535&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5603/FM.a2020.0127
DO - 10.5603/FM.a2020.0127
M3 - Review article
C2 - 33084006
AN - SCOPUS:85099334535
SN - 0015-5659
VL - 80
SP - 683
EP - 690
JO - Folia Morphologica (Poland)
JF - Folia Morphologica (Poland)
IS - 3
ER -