The popliteofibular ligament connects the popliteus tendon to the top of the fibular bone, in the area at the back of the knee known as the posterolateral corner.
Page updated July 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
The posterolateral corner of the knee
The posterolateral corner, of which the popliteofibular ligament is an anatomical component, is important for the stability of the knee joint, but its anatomy is complex.
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Quote from peer-reviewed paper:
"....Three primary static stabilizing structures form the PLC: the fibular (or lateral) collateral ligament, the popliteus tendon, and the popliteofibular ligament....."
Citation: Figueroa F, Figueroa D, Putnis S, Guiloff R, Caro P, Espregueira-Mendes J. Posterolateral corner knee injuries: a narrative review. EFORT Open Rev. 2021 Aug 10;6(8):676-685. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200096. PMID: 34532075; PMCID: PMC8419800.
Injury to the posterolateral corner
Injury to the popliteofibular ligament and other structures of the posterolateral corner may produce posterolateral rotatory instability.
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Quote from peer-reviewed paper:
"....The mechanism of injury to the PLC usually involves a direct varus stress to the knee, contact or non-contact hyperextension, or twisting of the knee when combined with multiple ligamentous injury, including tibiofemoral dislocation...."
Citation: Figueroa F, Figueroa D, Putnis S, Guiloff R, Caro P, Espregueira-Mendes J. Posterolateral corner knee injuries: a narrative review. EFORT Open Rev. 2021 Aug 10;6(8):676-685. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200096. PMID: 34532075; PMCID: PMC8419800.
Posterolateral corner surgery
Repair of structures in the posterolateral corner is the domain of the specialist ligament surgeon.
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Quote from peer-reviewed paper:
"....As anatomic, biomechanical, and clinical knowledge of PLC injuries continues to progress, finding the balance between re-creating native anatomy and safely performing PLC reconstruction provides a big challenge...."
Citation: Figueroa F, Figueroa D, Putnis S, Guiloff R, Caro P, Espregueira-Mendes J. Posterolateral corner knee injuries: a narrative review. EFORT Open Rev. 2021 Aug 10;6(8):676-685. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200096. PMID: 34532075; PMCID: PMC8419800.