Biceps Femoris Tendon and Lateral Collateral Ligament: Analysis of Insertion Pattern Using MRI

PURPOSE: The biceps femoris tendon (BFT) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in the knee were formerly known to form a conjoined tendon at the fibular attachment site. However, the BFT and LCL are attached into the fibular head in various patterns. We classified insertion patterns of the BFT and LCL using MR imaging, and analyzed whether the LCL attaches to the fibular head or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 494 consecutive knee MRIs of 470 patients taken between July 2012 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 224 males and 246 females, and patient age varied from 10 to 88 (mean, 48.6). The exclusion criteria were previous surgery and poor image quality. Using 3T fat-suppressed proton density-weighted axial images, the fibular insertion patterns of the BFT and LCL were classified into following types: type I (the LCL passes between the anterior arm and direct arm of the BFT's long head), type II (the LCL joins with anterior arm of the long head of the BFT), type III (the BFT and LCL join to form a conjoined tendon), type IV (the LCL passes laterally around the anterior margin of the BFT), and type V (the LCL passes posteriorly to the direct arm of the BFT's long head). RESULTS: Among the 494 cases of the knee MRI, there were 433 (87.65%) type I cases, 21 (4.25%) type II cases, 2 (0.4%) type III cases, 16 (3.23%) type IV cases, and 22 (4.45%) type V cases. There were 26 cases (5.26%) in which the LCL and BFT were not attached into the fibular head. CONCLUSION: The fibular attachment pattern of the BFT and LCL shows diverse types in MR imaging. The LCL does not adhere to the head in some patients.

Combined posterior cruciate ligament with posterolateral corner injuries of the knee / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To explore the clinical characteristic of combined posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) with posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries,and evaluate the technique and outcome of arthroscopic single bundle reconstruction of PCL and reconstruction of PLC with posterior half of biceps femoris tendon.[Method]From Dec. 2001 to Dec. 2004,14 patients (14 knees) with severe posterior and posterolateral rotatory instability were treated surgically in our department,all of them presented III degree positive results of posterior drawer test,positive varus stress test and more than 10 degree of external rotation of the affected knees compared with the intact knees.PCL tear and abnormal opening of posterolateral compartment were seen in all of the 14 knees under arthroscopy.Of them,2 knee were combined with common peroneal nerve injury.All the damaged PCLs were reconstructed with single bundle of autogenous quadrupled hamstring tendons under arthroscopy,and PLCs were reconstructed with the posterior half of biceps femoris tendon tenodesis.[Result]No severe complications occurred in early stage after operation in the 14 patients.All of them were followed up from 12 to 33 months with an average of 21.14?7.26 months.Posterior stabilities were recovered significantly,varus stress test was negative at 30 degree of flexion and full extension,less than 10 degree of external rotation compared with the intact knee in all of the patients.Lysholm score was remarkable improved from 40~60 (mean 47.1?8.25) preoperatively to 70~95 ( mean 86.79?7.23) at follow up(P