Purpose: To conduct a systematic literature review to search for studies on the anatomy of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee, presenting the most accepted findings, as well as the evolution of anatomic information on this structure.
Methods: We reviewed the PubMed, MEDLINE, and ClinicalKey databases for anatomic studies on the ALL, involving cadaveric, histologic, and biochemical dissection and/or anatomic imaging. The primary data researched were the presence of the ligament; measures of length, width, and thickness; ligament path; insertions; number of bands; histologic assessment; and innervation.
Results: We identified 53 studies. The ALL was found in 82.87% of adult dissections (more easily visualized in fresh cadavers), 74.07% of fetal dissections, and 84.80% of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. In 29 articles, the ALL was found in 100% of cases. There are 3 ALL insertion points: femoral, tibial, and meniscal. Histologic sections showed dense, well-organized collagen fibers, with an average of 121 fibroblasts/mm in adults, in addition to the presence of vascular and nervous tissue. MRI was shown to be a good examination tool to visualize the ALL, primarily in the coronal plane and with T2-weighted images.
Conclusions: The ALL is a distinct structure in the anterolateral portion of the knee. It exhibits typical ligament characteristics and can be visualized on imaging examinations, especially MRI. It has a femoral attachment near the lateral epicondyle, with a trend in recent years showing it to be located posterior and proximal to it, following an anteroinferior trajectory, with an insertion into the lateral meniscus and proximal tibia at the midpoint between the fibular head and Gerdy tubercle. Among the studies, the length of the ALL varied from 30.41 to 59.0 mm, the width ranged between 4.0 and 7.0 mm, and the thickness ranged between 1.0 and 2.0 mm.
Clinical Relevance: During the past few years, much controversy has been raised about the correct anatomy of the ALL. The main clinical relevance of this study is not only to end the discussion about the ALL's existence but also to clarify and synthesize the main evidence on the ALL's anatomy, mainly the currently most accepted attachments according to the recent literature, to enable more precise development of biomechanical settings and surgical techniques.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2018.09.006 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Preparation of anterolateral thigh flap from polio-affected lower limb: A safe surgical option that preserves patient's motor function.
J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address:
The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a commonly used donor site for reconstructive surger, especially in head and neck reconstructions. The flap's success is primarily determined by the quality and quantity of its perforating vessels, which is why clinicians typically prefer harvesting from a healthy leg with intact vascular anatomy. Poliomyelitis typically causes unilateral lower limb paralysis, resulting in muscle atrophy and deformities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTending to the Facial Surfaces of a Mathematical Biology Head-Scratcher: Why Does the Head of the Sea Turtle Resemble a Convex Zygomorphic Dodecahedron?
Animals (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Two convex polyhedra that markedly resemble the head of the flatback sea turtle hatchling are identified. The first example is a zygomorphic tetragonal dodecahedron, while the other, an even better matching structure, is a related tetradecahedron, herein speculated to arise from this particular dodecahedron via known mechanisms gleaned from studies of the behavior of foams. A segmented, biomorphic, convex polyhedral model to address cephalic topology is thus presented stemming from solid geometry, anatomical observations, and a recently computed densest local packing arrangement of fifteen slightly oblate spheroids in which fourteen oblate spheroids surround a central such spheroid.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStructural Adaptations of the Anterolateral Complex of the Knee and Associated Tissues: A Comparative Anatomical and Histological Analysis of Knees With and Without an Anterolateral Ligament.
J Knee Surg
January 2025
Department of Primary Care, Kansas City University College of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri.
The anterolateral ligament (ALL) is considered a secondary stabilizer of internal rotation and, due to proximity to the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), it may contribute to anterolateral rotatory stability. This study characterized the anatomy of the ALL and associated tissues of the anterolateral complex (ALC) to determine if structural and histological compensatory adaptations exist in patients without an ALL. Forty-nine cadaveric knees were dissected from distal-to-proximal using established landmarks with the aid of internal rotation stress to localize the ALL (if present), LCL, iliotibial band (ITB), and anterolateral capsule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArthroscopic-assisted reduction for Developmental Hip Dysplasia (DDH) through the sub-adductor and anterolateral portals; A 24-month follow-up prospective descriptive study.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord
January 2025
Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) encompasses a spectrum of pathological conditions, including dislocation, subluxation, and deformities of the femoral head and acetabulum. The optimal surgical approach for DDH remains a subject of debate. Successful treatment aims to achieve a stable concentric reduction and prevent future subluxation or dislocation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAge- and Gender-Related Femoral Bowing Analysis in the Korean Population and Features for Clinical Applications.
Medicina (Kaunas)
November 2024
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, 875 Haeun-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan 48108, Republic of Korea.
: The anterolateral bowing of the femur shows differences between races and has recently caused many clinical problems. Asians tend to have increased femoral bowing, but there is a lack of large-scale studies. We aim to identify the patterns of femoral bowing in the Korean population through comprehensive analysis and address its clinical implications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!