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Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 10/2020

01-10-2020 | Review

Meniscofibular ligament: how much do we know about this structure of the posterolateral corner of the knee: anatomical study and review of literature

Authors: Konstantinos Natsis, Theofilos Karasavvidis, Dimitris Kola, Stavros Papadopoulos, Trifon Totlis

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 10/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study is a systematic review of a relatively unknown structure of the posterolateral corner of the knee, the meniscofibular ligament (MFL), aiming at summarizing and broadening current scientific knowledge regarding this ligament anatomy, function, imaging and injury.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Medline (PubMed) and Cochrane Library databases were reviewed for every kind of study reporting on the MFL through December 2019. Due to between-study differences in (anatomy, function, imaging, injury) examining the ligament, the findings were summarized from each study, but the results were not pooled.

Results

The MFL is a ligament extending between the inferolateral portion of lateral meniscus, just anterior to the popliteus tendon, and the fibular head. It provides stability to the posterolateral corner of the knee joint, it can be demonstrated in magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance arthrography and has a potential role in lateral meniscus injuries. Further research is required to clearly understand the prognosis and management of MFL injury.

Conclusion

The current systematic review, focusing only on the MFL of the knee, summarizes the existing knowledge on anatomy, gross morphology, histology, function, biomechanics and imaging and contributes to the further understanding of the MFL.
Literature
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go back to reference Ogden JA (1974) The anatomy and function of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res 101:186–191 Ogden JA (1974) The anatomy and function of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res 101:186–191
11.
go back to reference Standring S (2005) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice, 39th edn. Elsevier Churchill-Livingstone, Edinburgh, p 1477 Standring S (2005) Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice, 39th edn. Elsevier Churchill-Livingstone, Edinburgh, p 1477
Metadata
Title
Meniscofibular ligament: how much do we know about this structure of the posterolateral corner of the knee: anatomical study and review of literature
Authors
Konstantinos Natsis
Theofilos Karasavvidis
Dimitris Kola
Stavros Papadopoulos
Trifon Totlis
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02459-x

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