Anatomic relation between the posterior cruciate ligament and the joint capsule.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this anatomic study on cadavers was to determine the anatomic relation between the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the posterior joint capsule attachment.


METHODS
Thirty knees were dissected by means of a posterior approach to the knee. The presence of the posterior popliteal ligament and Wrisberg meniscofemoral ligament was observed and a U-shaped capsulotomy was performed while preserving the distal insertion of the ligament. After detaching the PCL and determining its area on the tibia, we determined its geometric center and posterior margin and measured the distances between the tibial insertion of the capsule and these points.


RESULTS
The distance between the center of the PCL and the posterior capsule was 10.3 mm, and the distance between the posterior margin of the PCL and the capsule was 1.7 mm. The posterior popliteal ligament was easy to see in all the specimens, measuring around 42 mm in length. The Wrisberg meniscofemoral ligament was seen in 12 specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
We can conclude that the distances from the center of the tibial insertion and the margin of the PCL to the joint capsule were 10.3 mm and 1.7 mm, respectively, thus enabling greater knowledge of the anatomy of the posterior compartment of the knee.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings provide anatomic data that increase the safety and knowledge regarding the surgical procedures related to the PCL, because we have supplied information that can contribute to obtaining the best arthroscopic view of this area, thus decreasing the risk of vascular and nerve damage.
Ramos
Leonardo Addêo
LA
Sports Traumatology Sector, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
de Carvalho
Rogério Teixeira
RT
Cohen
Moisés
M
Abdalla
Rene Jorge
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001827:Body Height; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007717:Knee / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology