The posterolateral ligament of the elbow: anatomy and clinical relevance

BACKGROUND

The posterolateral capsule was recognized in the past as an important structure for elbow stability but was later disregarded. Two recent biomechanical studies demonstrated its role in preventing posterolateral instability, and thus it should be identified as a distinct ligament: the posterolateral ligament (PLL). This study includes 2 parts: an anatomic study of the PLL's footprint and a collection of 5 cases of pathologic lesions of the PLL.

METHODS

Six cadaveric upper limbs were assessed. The attachments of the PLL were dissected, the footprints were marked and photographed, and the 2-dimensional area and length were measured.

RESULTS

The mean proximal attachment dimensions were a length of 13 mm and an area of 101 mm2, and the mean distal attachment dimensions were 19 mm and 111 mm2, respectively. There were 2 cases of posterolateral elbow pain in professional cricket bowlers, diagnosed radiographically as enthesopathy of the PLL's proximal attachment on the posterior capitellum, probably due to repeated forced hyperextension of the elbow. Both patients were treated by débridement of the posterior capitellum and reattachment of the PLL, with complete resolution of symptoms. In addition, there were 3 cases of clinical posterolateral rotatory instability in young patients. Two athletes had an isolated acute tear of the PLL, and on physical examination, both had positive posterior draw test results but negative pivot-shift test results. Both underwent elbow arthroscopy and repair of the PLL with resolution of symptoms. The third patient had long-standing recurrent elbow instability, following a failed lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, in the presence of an Osborne-Cotterill lesion. He underwent revision lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, bone grafting of the bony lesion, and reattachment of the PLL, with complete resolution of symptomatic posterolateral rotatory instability.

CONCLUSIONS

The PLL of the elbow has a significant role in the elbow's posterolateral stability. Its footprints were described, and its clinical significance was demonstrated in cases of elbow instability caused by acute ligament tears and elbow pain due to ligament enthesopathy. Surgeons should be aware of this structure and potential pathology related to its injury.

Lateral Ankle Ligaments: An Insight Into Their Functional Anatomy, Variations, and Surgical Importance

BACKGROUND

Ankle sprains are prevalent injuries leading to functional impairment. The lateral ankle ligament complex (LLC), comprising the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), is weak and prone to injury. The morphometric data of these ligaments are essential for orthopedic practices, including techniques like direct repair or ATFL reconstruction with autograft/allograft, which are limited in the literature. The present study aims to document the anatomy and morphometry of the LLC.

METHODS

Fifteen adult Indian-origin embalmed cadavers were selected for the study. Ankles with antemortem or postmortem injuries or previous surgical interventions were excluded from the study. After precise dissection of the ankle's anterior and lateral aspects as per Cunningham's dissection manual, ligaments were exposed. Length and width were measured using a digital vernier caliper. Morphological attributes such as shape, orientation, and inter-fiber angles were documented.

RESULTS

The most common shape in ATFL was a single band (53.33%). Inner ATFL fibers merged with the ankle joint capsule in 73.33%. ATFL mean length and width were 14 ± 2.4 mm and 7.6 ± 2.0 mm. The angle between the fibula's long axis and ATFL fibers was 107 ± 22°, and the angle between tibiotalar joint lines and parallel ATFL fibers was 30 ± 9.5°. A single band of CFL was predominant (73.33%). The mean length and width of CFL were 18.4 ± 3.9 mm and 5.2 ± 1.3 mm; the angle between the anterior fibula border's long axes and parallel CFL line was 131°. PTFL length was 20.9 ± 3.3 mm and width was 6.2 ± 1.4 mm. The mean length and width of the anterior inferior talofibular ligament (AiTFL) were 11.7 ± 2.6 mm and 9.5 ± 1.6 mm, and of the posterior inferior talofibular ligament (PiTFL) were 12.8 ± 2.1 mm and 10.4 ± 2 mm.

CONCLUSION

Comprehensive knowledge of these ligaments' anatomy and relationships is vital for clinical examination and ultrasonography. Understanding LLC details aids radiologists and orthopedic surgeons in graft selection, sizing, and precise anatomical structure placement during surgical reconstruction.

[Intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus associated with injury to lateral collateral ligaments of the ankle]

Calcaneal fractures are the most frequent of the tarsus (3.5% of all fractures). Young adults are mainly affected, being more frequent in men (5.9:1). On the other hand, ligament injuries associated with fracture of the calcaneus are very infrequent. We describe a case of a 39 year old patient who suffered ankle trauma. He presented instability in plantar flexion and inversion. A fracture of the calcaneus was diagnosed. During surgery, a complete lesion of the lateral ligament complex was found. The reduction and osteosynthesis associated with ligament reconstruction was performed. We consider important to confirm the stability of the ankle after a calcaneus fracture. Lack of diagnosis in this type of injuries can evolve into chronic instability.

Open ligamentous complex disruption of the lateral ankle without dislocation or fracture: Two case reports

INTRODUCTION

Lateral ligamentous complex injury without fracture or dislocation is rare in the literature. Due to the rare injury, it is not clear yet about the proper treatment. This case report suggests a specific diagnosis of this injury as well as an appropriate surgical method.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In one-month period of time, 2 male soldiers participating in recreational basketball game presented with open wound on the lateral aspect of ankle without associated dislocation or fracture when they attempted to rebound the ball which consequently made them land on another player's foot.

DIAGNOSIS

Total rupture of the lateral ligament complex with open wound was found without any associated fracture or dislocation.

INTERVENTIONS

Open repair of the ruptured ligaments and capsule was performed.

OUTCOMES

Patients returned to his own job's duty with none to minimal limitation in sport and activities of daily living at 9 to 10 months after the injury.

CONCLUSION

Although open disruption of the lateral ligamentous complex without fracture or dislocation is rare, an adequate assessment and prompt surgical repair led to satisfactory outcome.

Arthroscopically-assisted fixation of anteromedial coronoid facet fracture and lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair for acute posteromedial rotatory fracture dislocation of the elbow

If left untreated, varus posteromedial rotatory injuries of the elbow result in poor functional outcomes. Surgical treatment allows restoration of elbow kinematics, minimizing the chances of chronic varus instability and early onset osteoarthritis. However, large exposures are associated with extensive soft tissue stripping, a high risk of infection, nerve injury, poor visualization of the articular surface and longer recovery. Consequently, there has been renewed interest in the use of elbow arthroscopy to circumvent these problems. Arthroscopic treatment offers the potential advantage of a swift recovery, with instant rehabilitation, less stiffness and swelling than might be expected after open repair. We present the first combined arthroscopic-assisted anteromedial facet coronoid fracture fixation and lateral ulna collateral ligament repair in a varus posteromedial rotatory injury of the elbow.

The Arterial Anatomy of the Lateral Ligament Complex of the Ankle: A Cadaveric Study

BACKGROUND

Ankle sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury in the United States. Chronic lateral ankle instability can ultimately require operative intervention to decrease pain and restore stability to the ankle joint. There are no anatomic studies investigating the vascular supply to the lateral ankle ligamentous complex.

PURPOSE

To define the vascular anatomy of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

Thirty pairs of cadaveric specimens (60 total legs) were amputated below the knee. India ink, followed by Ward blue latex, was injected into the peroneal, anterior tibial, and posterior tibial arteries to identify the vascular supply of the lateral ligaments of the ankle. Chemical debridement was performed with 8.0% sodium hypochlorite to remove the soft tissues, leaving casts of the vascular anatomy intact. The vascular supply to the lateral ligament complex was then evaluated and recorded.

RESULTS

The vascular supply to the lateral ankle ligaments was characterized in 56 specimens: 52 (92.9%) had arterial supply with an origin from the perforating anterior branch of the peroneal artery; 51 (91.1%), from the posterior branch of the peroneal artery; 29 (51.8%), from the lateral tarsal branch of the dorsalis pedis; and 12 (21.4%), from the posterior tibial artery. The anterior branch of the peroneal artery was the dominant vascular supply in 39 specimens (69.6%).

CONCLUSION

There are 4 separate sources of extraosseous blood supply to the lateral ligaments of the ankle. In all specimens, the anterior talofibular ligament was supplied by the anterior branch of the peroneal artery and/or the lateral tarsal artery of the dorsalis pedis, while the posterior talofibular ligament was supplied by the posterior branch of the peroneal artery and/or the posterior tibial artery. The calcaneofibular ligament received variable contributions from the anterior and posterior branches of the peroneal artery, with few specimens receiving a contribution from the lateral tarsal or posterior tibial arteries.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Understanding the vascular anatomy of the lateral ligament complex is beneficial when considering surgical management and may provide insight into factors that lead to chronic instability.