HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 34/11/1815    most recent 0363546506289433v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Robinson, J. R. Articles by Amis, A. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Robinson, J. R. Articles by Amis, A. A. Related Collections Knee

The Role of the Medial Collateral Ligament and Posteromedial Capsule in Controlling Knee Laxity

From Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

^* Address correspondence to Andrew A. Amis, DSc, Mechanical Engineering Department, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK (e-mail: a.amis{at}imperial.ac.uk).

Background: The medial aspect of the knee has a complex capsular structure; the biomechanical roles of specific structures are not well understood.

Hypothesis: The 3 strong stabilizing structures, the superficial and deep medial collateral ligaments and the posteromedial capsule, make distinct contributions to controlling tibiofemoral laxity.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Changes in knee laxity under anterior-posterior drawer, valgus, and internal-external rotation loads were found by sequential cutting in 18 cadaveric knees. Three cutting sequences allowed the roles of the 3 structures to be seen in isolation and in combination. Some force contributions were also calculated.

Results: The posteromedial capsule controlled valgus, internal rotation, and posterior drawer in extension, resisting 42% of a 150-N drawer force when the tibia was in internal rotation. The superficial collateral ligament controlled valgus at all angles and was dominant from 30° to 90° of flexion, plus internal rotation in flexion. The deep collateral ligament controlled tibial anterior drawer of the flexed and externally rotated knee and was a secondary restraint to valgus.

Conclusion: Distinct roles in controlling tibiofemoral laxity have been found for these structures that vary according to knee flexion and tibial rotation.

Clinical Relevance: The restraining functions demonstrated provide new information about knee stabilization, which may allow better evaluation of structural damage at the medial aspect of the knee.

Key Words: medial collateral ligament (MCL) • posteromedial capsule (PMC) • knee stability • joint laxity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. J. Griffith, C. A. Wijdicks, R. F. LaPrade, B. M. Armitage, S. Johansen, and L. Engebretsen Force Measurements on the Posterior Oblique Ligament and Superficial Medial Collateral Ligament Proximal and Distal Divisions to Applied Loads Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 2009; 37(1): 140 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Robinson, L. Carrat, C. Granchi, and P. Colombet Influence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Bundles on Knee Kinematics: Clinical Assessment Using Computer-Assisted Navigation Am. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2007; 35(12): 2006 - 2013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]