title: The anterolateral complex of the knee: a pictorial essay.
abstract: Injuries to the anterolateral complex of the knee can result in increased rotatory knee instability. However, to diagnose and treat patients with persistent instability properly, surgeons need to understand the multifactorial genesis as well as the complex anatomy of the anterolateral aspect of the knee in its entirety. While recent research focused primarily on one structure (anterolateral ligament-ALL), the purpose of this pictorial essay is to provide a detailed layer-by-layer description of the anterolateral complex of the knee, consisting of the iliotibial band with its superficial, middle, deep, and capsulo-osseous layer as well as the anterolateral joint capsule. This may help surgeons to not only understand the anatomy of this particular part of the knee, but may also provide guidance when performing extra-articular procedures in patients with rotatory knee instability. Level of evidence V.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.|Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Herbst
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albers
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burnham
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Humza S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Jan-Hendrik
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Naendrup
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Freddie H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. musahlv@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Musahl
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterolateral; Anterolateral complex; Capsulo-osseous layer; Iliotibial band; Knee; Pivot shift