An anatomical study of the meniscofibular ligament

Abstract

We examined the anatomical structure of a ligament (ligamentum meniscofibulare) between apex fibulae and lateral meniscus by macroscopic and microscopic dissection and transillumination method in 50 knees of 25 cadavers (5 were fresh). We analyzed the function of this ligament, which runs between the head of the fibulae and lateral meniscus. The existence of a connection between knee joint and proximal tibiofibular joint was demonstrated by injecting colored liquid into the knee joint space and transillumination. The mensicofibular ligament is a capsular ligament originating from the lateral meniscus that is anterior to the popliteal muscle tendon. The meniscofibular ligament, which is attached to fibula with rotatory motion at one end and to the lateral meniscus at the other, is believed to position the lateral meniscus and therefore to play a key role in the knee joint.

Rupture of the meniscofibular ligament

“…However, there are no data regarding injury to this ligament and the prognosis. Bozkurt et al confirmed the presence of this ligament in all the subjects examined in their study, demonstrating increased tension of this ligament during dorsiflexion of the ankle and describing its protective function against varus forces to the knee and external rotation forces to the leg [1]. Furthermore, Bozkurt et al emphasized the need for biomechanical, radiological, and clinical studies of the meniscofibular ligament [1].…”

“…Dorsiflexion of the ankle has been shown to create tension in the meniscofibular ligament. A protective function against varus and external rotation forces to the knee has been described for the meniscofibular ligament [1]. The sitting position described by the patient exactly matches the position that creates meniscofibular ligament tension (Figure 1).…”

“…In an anatomical study, Bozkurt et al described the position at which the meniscofibular ligament is in tension [1]. According to its anatomical structure, the proximal fibula is classified as oblique when the inclination of the joint is greater than 20 degrees or horizontal when the inclination of the joint is less than 20 degrees [3].…”

“…According to its anatomical structure, the proximal fibula is classified as oblique when the inclination of the joint is greater than 20 degrees or horizontal when the inclination of the joint is less than 20 degrees [3]. A horizontal proximal fibula allows a wider range of rotation [1,3]. Bozkurt et al demonstrated that the meniscofibular ligament is thicker in subjects with a horizontal proximal fibula and rather slender in those with an oblique proximal fibula.…”

“…The meniscofibular ligament is an anatomically defined ligament of the knee in humans [1-3]. However, there are no data regarding injury to this ligament and the prognosis.…”