Abstract

Background: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) originates from the lateral epicondyle of the femur and inserts on the tibia in between Gerdy’s tubercle (GT) and fibula head (FH). The ALL exists as a ligamentous structure that becomes taut if tibia is rotated 30° medially. It has been suggested that the ALL of the knee has importance in limiting rotational instability, and reconstruction of the same along with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may prevent a continued pivot-shift following surgery. We describe our experience of cadaveric dissection with reference to other published. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Department of Anatomy, D.Y.Patil Medical College, Kolhapur from 2016 to 2018. The ALL was identified in 14 Females and 16 Males cadavers, total 60 knee joints. The ALL tissue was identified with internal rotation of the tibia. Measurements were made using a digital calliper and details of the origin and insertion were recorded. Results: The ALL was identified had mean dimensions were: length 38.06 ±3 mm on Right side and 37.94 ± 3 mm on Left side, width 4.38 ± 0.25 mm on Right side and 4.37 ± 0.25 mm on Left side, thickness 0.9 ± 0.02 mm on Right side and 0.9 ± 0.02 mm on Left side. The femoral origin Posterior and Proximal (PP) in 23, Anterior and Distal (AD) in 29 and Femoral Lateral Epicondyle in 8 knee joint. The tibial insertion was a mean 1.79 ± 0.3 mm on Right side and 1.82 ± 0.3 mm on Left side from Gerdy’s tubercle (GT) and 1.28 ± 0.03mm on Right side and 1.25 ± 0.03 mm on Left side from the fibula head (FH). Conclusions: Our results go along the studies describing that the ALL is a capsular thickening and has meniscal attachment. The findings will help surgeon to perform reconstructive surgery and also help them to select the appropriate graft. Further, we feel this ligament should be added in all gross anatomy book so that medical undergraduates are also aware of ALL.

Authors and Affiliations