Importance of the different posterolateral knee static stabilizers: biomechanical study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of the different static stabilizers of the posterolateral corner of the knee in cadavers.


METHODS
Tests were performed with the application of a varus and external rotation force to the knee in extension at 30 and 60 degrees of flexion using 10 cadaver knees. The forces were applied initially to an intact knee and then repeated after a selective sectioning of the ligaments into the following: section of the lateral collateral ligament; section of the lateral collateral ligament and the popliteofibular complex; and section of the lateral collateral ligament, the popliteofibular complex and the posterolateral capsule. The parameters studied were the angular deformity and stiffness when the knees were submitted to a 15 Newton-meter varus torque and a 6 Newton-meter external tibial torque. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) and Tukey's tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings showed that the lateral collateral ligament was important in varus stability at 0, 30 and 60 degrees. The popliteofibular complex was the most important structure for external rotation stability at all angles of flexion and was also important for varus stability at 30 and 60 degrees. The posterolateral capsule was important for varus stability at 0 and 30 degrees and for external rotation stability in extension.


METHODS
Level IV (cadaver study).
Lasmar
Rodrigo Campos Pace
RC
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil.
Marques de Almeida
Adriano
A
Serbino
José Wilson
JW
Mota Albuquerque
Roberto Freire da
RF
Hernandez
Arnaldo José
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D017888:Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology; D019415:Torque; D016474:Weight-Bearing
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