Current concepts in the recognition and treatment of posterolateral corner injuries of the knee.
CONCLUSIONS
Injuries to the posterolateral corner of the knee pose a significant challenge to sports medicine team members due to their complex nature. Identifying posterolateral corner injuries is paramount to determining proper surgical management of the injured athlete, with the goal of preventing chronic pain, instability, and/or surgical failure. Postoperative rehabilitation is based on the specific structural involvement and surgical procedures. A firm understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the structures of the posterolateral corner is essential for successful rehabilitation outcomes. Emphasis is placed on protection of the healing surgical repair/reconstruction, with gradual restoration of range of motion, strength, proprioception, and dynamic function of the knee. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the anatomy, biomechanics, and mechanism of injury for posterolateral corner injuries, with a review of clinical examination techniques for identifying these injuries. Furthermore, a review of current surgical management and postoperative guidelines is provided.


METHODS
Diagnosis/therapy, level 5.
Lunden
Jason B
JB
University Orthopaedic Therapy Center, R102, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. lund0438@umn.edu
Bzdusek
Peter J
PJ
Monson
Jill K
JK
Malcomson
Kent W
KW
Laprade
Robert F
RF
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011182:Postoperative Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation