Internal Structural Connections in the Popliteus Tendon Complex with Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Clinical Implications / Conexiones Estructurales Internas en el Complejo Tendón Poplíteo con Ligamento Cruzado Posterior e Implicaciones Clínicas

SUMMARY: At present, the anatomical relationship the mid-portion of popliteus tendon complex (PTC) and the surrounding tissues is still unclear, especially its relationship to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). It affected the anatomical reconstruction of the posterolateral complex (PLC) injury. A total of 30 cases of the adult human knee joint fixed with formalin were used. Sagittal sections were made in 14 knee joints by the P45 plastination technique and dissection of 16 cases of knee joints. The P45 section revealed that the popliteus muscle fascia ran superiorly over the posterior edge of the tibial intercondylar eminence, and turned forward to be integrated into the PCL. Laterally, near the posterior edge of the lateral tibial plateau, the popliteus tendon penetrates through the articular capsule (AC), where two dense fibrous bundles were given off upwards by the popliteus tendon: one was the ventral fiber bundle, which ran superiorly over the posterior edge of the tibial plateau and then moved forwards to connect with the lateral meniscus; the dorsal fibers bundle ascended directly and participated in the AC. Meanwhile, the popliteus muscle dissection showed that at the posterior edge of the platform of the lateral condyle of the tibia, at the tendon-muscle transition, the PTC and AC were anchored to PCL.

En la actualidad, la relación anatómica entre la porción media del complejo tendinoso poplíteo (CTP) y los tejidos circundantes aún no está clara, especialmente su relación con el ligamento cruzado posterior (LCP). Esto afecta la reconstrucción anatómica de la lesión del complejo posterolateral (LCP). Se utilizaron un total de 30 casos de articulaciones de rodillas humanas de individuos adultos fijadas con formalina. Se realizaron cortes sagitales en 14 articulaciones de rodilla mediante la técnica de plastinación P45 y disección de 16 casos de articulaciones de rodilla. La sección P45 reveló que la fascia del músculo poplíteo discurría superiormente sobre el margen posterior de la eminencia intercondílea tibial y giraba hacia delante para integrarse en el LCP. Lateralmente, cerca del margen posterior de la platillo tibial lateral, el tendón poplíteo penetra a través de la cápsula articular (CA), donde el tendón poplíteo desprendió hacia arriba dos haces fibrosos densos: uno era el haz de fibras ventral, que corría superiormente sobre el margen posterior de la meseta tibial y luego se movió hacia adelante para conectar con el menisco lateral; el haz de fibras dorsales ascendía directamente y participaba en la CA. Por su parte, la disección del músculo poplíteo mostró que en el margen posterior del platillo del cóndilo lateral de la tibia, en la transición tendón-músculo, el CTP y el AC estaban anclados al LCP.

Técnica de larson original modificada para la reconstrucción del ligamento colateral lateral de la rodilla, reporte de un caso / Modified original larson technique for the knee´s lateral collateral ligament reconstruction, a case report

El ligamento colateral lateral (LCL), que forma parte de los estabilizadores de la rodilla, constituye una estructura importante dentro del complejo posterolateral de la misma (CPL), que restringe al varo, en los ángulos de flexión de esta, especialmente a los 30°, además de controlar la rotación externa. Son infrecuentes las lesiones que afectan a este complejo, etiológicamente entre el 50- 90% se asocian a otras lesiones ligamentosas con predominio del 60% de daño del ligamento cruzado posterior. La técnica de Larson se basa en la reconstrucción del LCL y del complejo poplíteo, utilizando una inserción proximal única en el epicóndilo femoral. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 28 años de edad, sin antecedentes clínicos, que acude debido a un varo forzado de la extremidad mientras realizaba actividad deportiva y tras recibir impacto directo en la región lateral interna de pantorrilla derecha, posterior a lo cual presenta dolor a los movimientos pasivos e imposibilidad a la deambulación. Además, presenta equimosis, edema, escoriaciones superficiales en cara lateral externa y dolor a la digitopresión en trayecto de ligamento colateral externo. A maniobras de exploración de rodilla: signo de bostezo en varo positivo, cepillado rotuliano positivo, hiperpresión de rotula positivo, limitación funcional a la flexión y extensión de la articulación. Esta técnica, Larson modificada, resulta como una de las más prometedoras por sus varias características, como la menos exigente y al mismo tiempo brindando resultados alentadores. Este procedimiento se fundamenta en la reconstrucción del LCL y del tendón poplíteo (TP) en conjunto, resumiéndose así la reconstrucción del Ligamento Poplíteo Peroneo (LPP) como estabilizador estático del TP, con su inserción a nivel de la cabeza del peroné en conjunto con la del LCL y la restitución de ambas inserciones en el epicóndilo femoral, tomando en cuenta la morfología del peroné y los ángulos de movimientos de la rodilla.

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is part of the knee stabilizers, constitutes an important structure within the posterolateral complex of the same (CPL), which restricts the varus, in the flexion angles of this, especially at 30°, in addition to controlling external rotation. Lesions that affect this complex are infrequent, etiologically between 50-90% are associated with other ligamentous injuries with a predominance of 60% damage to the posterior cruciate ligament. The Larson technique is based on the reconstruction of the LCL and the popliteal complex, using a single proximal insertion in the femoral epicondyle. We present the case of a 28-year-old male patient, with no medical history, who attended due to a forced varus of the limb while performing sports activity and after receiving a direct impact on the internal lateral region of the right calf, after which he presented pain to passive movements and inability to ambulation. In addition, he presents ecchymosis, edema, superficial abrasions on the external lateral aspect and pain on acupressure in the course of the external collateral ligament. A knee examination maneuvers: positive varus yawn sign, positive patellar brushing, positive patella hyperpressure, functional limitation to flexion and extension of the joint. This modified Larson technique turns out to be one of the most promising due to its various characteristics, as the least demanding and at the same time providing encouraging results. This procedure is based on the reconstruction of the LCL and the popliteal tendon (PT) as a whole, thus summarizing the reconstruction of the Peroneal Popliteal Ligament (LPP) as a static stabilizer of the PT, with its insertion at the level of the head of the fibula in conjunction with the of the LCL and the restitution of both attachments in the femoral epicondyle, taking into account the morphology of the fibula and the angles of movement of the knee.

Posterolateral reconstruction combined with one-stage tibial valgus osteotomy: Technical considerations and functional results.

BACKGROUND: To report the functional outcomes and complications from reconstructing the knee posterolateral complex (PLC), associated with one-stage opening-wedge tibial valgus osteotomy, and discuss the technical feasibility of this procedure. METHODS: Five patients with chronic PLC injuries and varus deviation of the mechanical axis, associated with central pivot injuries or not, underwent medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy combined with PLC reconstruction. The lateral collateral ligament, popliteal tendon, and popliteofibular ligament were reconstructed using a single femoral tunnel. Patients were assessed on physical examination, range-of-motion and functional scales, and radiographs. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score (KOOS) were determined. RESULTS: Five patients were evaluated: four presented with central pivot injury, and one had an isolated PLC injury. The mean time between injury and surgery was 40 ±â€¯6.5 months (± is indicating standard deviation value). Four patients had minimal residual instability on physical examination, with a lateral opening at varus stress of ±3+ at 30° flexion. The means of the IKDC score, Lysholm score, and KOOS were 67.8 ±â€¯9.2, 83.0 ±â€¯9.3, and 79.2 ±â€¯5.9, respectively. All patients showed satisfactory consolidation of osteotomy in 2.6 ±â€¯0.9 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this series indicate that one-stage PLC ligament reconstruction associated with medial opening-wedge valgus osteotomy is feasible and shows satisfactory functional results with a low rate of complications. A one-stage procedure might be indicated for young patients with high functionality and more pronounced posterolateral instabilities.