THE ROLE OF THE POPLITEOFIBULAR LIGAMENT IN STABILITY OF THE HUMAN KNEE - A BIOMECHANICAL STUDY

The popliteal tendon has a significant attachment to the fibula, the p opliteofibular ligament, The role of this ligament in knee stability h as not been determined. In this study we used selective cutting techni ques to measure the static contribution of the popliteal tendon attach ments to the tibia and the popliteofibular ligament for stability of t he knee. Sectioning of all the posterolateral structures except the po pliteal tendon attachments to the tibia or the popliteofibular ligamen t resulted in increased primary posterior translation, varus rotation, external rotation, and coupled external rotation, Although statistica lly significant, these increases were small, Sectioning of all the pos terolateral structures resulted in larger increases in primary posteri or translation, varus rotation, external rotation, and coupled externa l rotation, Our data indicate that the popliteal tendon attachments to the tibia and the popliteofibular ligament are important in resisting posterior translation and varus and external rotation, If an isolated injury to the posterolateral structures occurs, anatomic reconstructi on of the major ligaments that restrain posterior translation and varu s and external rotation may provide the best functional result. Recons truction for isolated posterolateral instability should include anatom ic attachment of the popliteal tendon to the tibia and the popliteofib ular ligament.