Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anatomical popliteofibular ligament reconstruction of the knee joints: an all-arthroscopic technique

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Injuries to the posterolateral corner of the knee present with variable injury patterns that have produced a number of reconstructive procedures in the literature. The present paper describes an all-arthroscopic technique that anatomically reconstructs the popliteofibular ligament (PFL) using either a semitendinosus autograft or an anterior tibialis allograft. During the surgery, the fibular insertion site as well as the distal portion of PFL is feasible to be identified under arthroscopy without any additional skin incision.

Level of evidence V.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ahn JH, Ha CW (2000) Posterior trans-septal portal for arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint. Arthroscopy 16(7):774–779

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Apsingi S, Nguyen T, Bull AM, Unwin A, Deehan DJ, Amis AA (2009) A comparison of modified Larson and ‘anatomic’ posterolateral corner reconstructions in knees with combined PCL and posterolateral corner deficiency. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17(3):305–312

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Feng H, Hong L, Geng XS, Zhang H, Wang XS, Zhang J (2009) Posterolateral sling reconstruction of the popliteus tendon: an all-arthroscopic technique. Arthroscopy 25(7):800–805

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Feng H, Song GY, Shen JW, Zhang H, Wang MY (2014) The “lateral gutter drive-through” sign revisited: a cadaveric study exploring its real mechanism based on the individual posterolateral structure of knee joints. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 134(12):1745–1751

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Feng H, Zhang H, Hong L, Wang XS, Cheng KB, Zhang J (2011) Femoral peel-off lesions in acute posterolateral corner injuries: incidence, classification, and clinical characteristics. Arthroscopy 27(7):951–958

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Feng H, Zhang H, Hong L, Wang XS, Zhang J (2009) The “lateral gutter drive-through” sign: an arthroscopic indicator of acute femoral avulsion of the popliteus tendon in knee joints. Arthroscopy 25(12):1496–1499

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Frosch KH, Akoto R, Maximilian H, Enderle E, Giannakos A, Preiss A (2014) Arthroscopic reconstruction of the popliteus complex: accuracy and reproducibility of a new surgical technique. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-014-3000-y

    Google Scholar 

  8. LaPrade RF, Johansen S, Wentorf FA, Engebretsen L, Esterberg JL, Tso A (2004) An analysis of an anatomical posterolateral knee reconstruction: an in vitro biomechanical study and development of a surgical technique. Am J Sports Med 32(6):1405–1414

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. McCarthy M, Camarda L, Wijdicks CA, Johansen S, Engebretsen L, Laprade RF (2010) Anatomic posterolateral knee reconstructions require a popliteofibular ligament reconstruction through a tibial tunnel. Am J Sports Med 38(8):1674–1681

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Pasque C, Noyes FR, Gibbons M, Levy M, Grood E (2003) The role of the popliteofibular ligament and the tendon of popliteus in providing stability in the human knee. J Bone Joint Surg Br 85:292–298

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Thaunat M, Pioger C, Chatellard R, Conteduca J, Khaleel A, Sonnery-Cottet B (2014) The arcuate ligament revisited: role of the posterolateral structures in providing static stability in the knee joint. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 22(9):2121–2127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. van der Wal WA, Heesterbeek PJ, van Tienen TG, Busch VJ, van Ochten JH, Wymenga AB (2014) Anatomical reconstruction of posterolateral corner and combined injuries of the knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-014-3369-7

    Google Scholar 

  13. Zhang H, Feng H, Hong L, Wang XS, Zhang J (2009) Popliteofibular ligament reconstruction for posterolateral external rotation instability of the knee. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17(9):1070–1077

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang H, Hong L, Wang XS, Zhang J, Geng XS, Liu X, Feng H (2010) Single-bundle posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and mini-open popliteofibular ligament reconstruction in knees with severe posterior and posterolateral rotation instability: clinical results of minimum 2-year follow-up. Arthroscopy 26(4):508–514

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Zhang H, Hong L, Wang XS, Zhang J, Liu X, Feng H (2011) All-arthroscopic repair of arcuate avulsion fracture with suture anchor. Arthroscopy 27(5):728–734

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhang H, Zhang J, Liu X, Shen JW, Hong L, Wang XS, Feng H (2013) In vitro comparison of popliteus tendon and popliteofibular ligament reconstruction in an external rotation injury model of the knee: a cadaveric study evaluated by a navigation system. Am J Sports Med 41(9):2136–2142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

One or more of the authors (GYS, HF) have received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81171733).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medicine Service, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, No. 31, Xin Jie Kou East Street, Xi Cheng District, Beijing, 100035, China

    Guan-yang Song, Hui Zhang, Jin Zhang, Yue Li & Hua Feng

Authors
  1. Guan-yang Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hui Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jin Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yue Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hua Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hua Feng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Song, Gy., Zhang, H., Zhang, J. et al. Anatomical popliteofibular ligament reconstruction of the knee joints: an all-arthroscopic technique. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 2925–2929 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3531-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3531-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation