MRI of the posterolateral corner of the knee, please have a look

Abstract

The knee PLC injuries are frequently seen, with other major knee injuries, such as ACL and PCL.

Objective: This article aimed to clarify PLC injuries that could be diagnosed by MRI, and may have an impact on the management of the associated major knee injuries.

Patient and methods: It was conducted through retrospective MRI revision of 1000 patients who were presented with post-traumatic knee complaints, from January 2011 to March 2016.

Results: ITB band injuries were seen in 113 patients (11.3%), biceps tendon injury in 59 patients (5.9%), FCL injuries in 223 patients (22.3%), popliteus muscle injury in 53 patients (5.3%), PFL in 17 (1.7%), arcuate ligament injury in 38 patients (3.8%) and arcuate bone fracture (fibular styloid fracture) in 22 patients (2.2%). Overall PLC injuries recorded 283 patients, either as separate or combined PLC items. Of these 283 patients, 96 patients had associated ACL tear (33.9%), 19 had PCL tear (6.7%), 73 had medial corner injury (25.7%), 55 combined injuries (19.4%) and 40 isolated PLC injuries (14.1%).

Conclusion: Different types of PLC injuries may occur in association with other major knee sectorial injuries that may require repair before the associated injured major sector correction, in an attempt to avoid early ACL or PCL graft failure.

Keywords: posterolateral corner; ITB band; biceps tendon; FCL; Popliteus; PFL