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Purpose: The frequency of meniscal root tears in association with multi-ligament knee injury has not been established but adds to the complexity of surgical reconstruction and may have long-term consequences. Therefore, identifying root tears, on preoperative imaging, is important. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of meniscal root tears, on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, following multi-ligament injury and distinguish associated injury patterns that may aid detection., Methods: Cases were identified from a prospectively collected institutional database. The magnetic resonance imaging of 188 multi-ligament injuries [median age 31 years (range 16-64)] was retrospectively reviewed by three musculoskeletal radiologists with the presence of meniscal injuries recorded alongside the ligament injury pattern and intra-articular fractures. Assessment of injury pattern was solely made on this imaging., Results: 38 meniscal root injuries were identified in 37 knees (overall frequency = 20.2%; medial = 10.6%; lateral = 9.6%). The frequency of meniscal root tears was not increased in higher grade injuries (21.5% vs. 17.0%, n.s.). Valgus injury patterns were associated with lateral root tears (p < 0.05) and varus patterns were associated with medial root tears (p < 0.05). Further, fractures in the same compartment were associated with both medial and lateral root tears (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Meniscal root tears occur more frequently in multi-ligament knee injury than previously reported with isolated anterior cruciate rupture. Root tears can be predicted by ligament injury patterns and fractures sustained (suggestive of a compressive force). In multi-ligament cases, the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect these tears and associated patterns of injury., Level of Evidence: IV.

Objective: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) has been described. However, the appearance of this structure and injury, in the presence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, is less well defined. We studied the incidence of injury to the ALL and the pattern of this injury on MRI., Materials and Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective study of 375 consecutive MRI studies was performed. Cases were identified from a prospective database of ACL reconstruction patients. Following exclusions, 280 MRIs (277 patients; 197 males: 80 females; mean age 30.2 years, range, 16-54) were evaluated. Injury was defined as full thickness, partial thickness, or an avulsion fracture. Each study was independently assessed by two consultant musculoskeletal radiologists., Results: Injury to the ALL was identified (by at least one observer) in only 10.7% of cases (2.50% full thickness, 7.50% partial thickness, and 0.71% avulsion fracture). There was an almost perfect level of interobserver agreement for both the identification of an injury (κ = 0.854) and grading of injury (κ = 0.858). The MRI incidence of ALL injury was significantly greater within 6 weeks of the knee injury (18.5 vs. 8.37%; p < 0.05)., Conclusions: ALL injury was identified in only one-tenth of cases of ACL rupture. MRI changes can be reliably identified with strong agreement between observers. ALL injury is found more frequently on MRI within 6 weeks of the knee injury (compared to scans performed after this time period) suggesting that some injuries may resolve or become less visible.

Recent research has suggested that the anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee may have an important role in preventing persistent rotatory instability following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.For this review, we performed a thorough literature search and identified the significant steps in the improvement of our understanding. This has progressed from historical reports to accurate characterization of the attachments and dimensions of the ALL through anatomical and histological studies. Alongside this, biomechanical data have demonstrated the role of this structure throughout the range of movement of the knee. Furthermore, the appearance of the ALL on magnetic resonance imaging has been comprehensibly described and radiological markers have been defined as a basis for suggested reconstructive procedures using fluoroscopy.We present a comprehensive review of the evolution of our understanding about this structure. Key advances in our understanding of the dimensions and attachments will guide research into reconstructive options. Further work is needed to determine the biomechanical and clinical outcome of extra-articular reconstruction of the ALL alongside ACL reconstruction., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)

Objective: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) may limit tibial internal rotation and pivot-shift following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Previous studies, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify this structure, have been inconsistent. We aimed to further characterize the anatomy of this ligament with reference to previous work., Materials and Methods: Institutional Review Board approval was gained and a retrospective study of 154 consecutive 1.5-T MRI studies was performed by a consultant musculoskeletal radiologist. Cases with a lateral compartment or cruciate injury and patients under 16 years were excluded. A total of 100 MRIs (98 patients; 63 males: 35 females; mean age, 45.3 years, range, 16-85 years) were included in the study., Results: The ALL was visualized partially in 94 (94.0%) of the cases and fully with distinct femoral and tibial fibers in 57 (57.0%) of the cases. Although the femoral origin was discreet in only 57 (57.0%) of cases, the tibial insertion (7.64 ± 1.26 mm below the joint-line) and meniscal attachment were demonstrated in all cases where the ligament was seen. Where the femoral origin was not seen, a broad expansion of the ligament was noted. We identified four types of meniscal attachment (complete, central, bipolar, and inferior-only). The thickness of the ALL, at the level of the joint-line, was 1.75 ± 0.57 mm., Conclusions: The ALL is a consistent structure with meniscal and tibial portions identifiable in the majority of MRI studies of the uninjured knee. There is an attachment to the lateral meniscus with anatomical variation described by our subclassification.